Rick DiPietro

Rick DiPietro
DiPietro with the New York Islanders in 2011
Born (1981-09-19) September 19, 1981 (age 43)
Lewiston, Maine, U.S.[1]
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Right
Played for New York Islanders
National team  United States
NHL draft 1st overall, 2000
New York Islanders
Playing career 2000–2013

Richard W. DiPietro Jr. (born September 19, 1981) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender and current co-host of ESPN 98.7 FM New York's "DiPietro and Rothenberg" with Dave Rothenberg.[2] He is also an analyst on National Hockey League (NHL) telecasts on ESPN having started the 2021–22 season.[3]

On June 24, 2000, DiPietro became the second goaltender in history selected first overall in an NHL Entry Draft when he was chosen by the New York Islanders.[4][5] In 2006, the team signed him to a groundbreaking 15-year, $67.5 million contract,[6] but a string of injuries beginning in 2008, which limited him to 50 NHL appearances over the next five seasons, led to a contract buyout on July 2, 2013, with eight years remaining on his contract.[7][8] DiPietro retired after being released by the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) on November 26, 2013, with whom he had signed a tryout contract on October 25.[9] Multiple hockey writers consider him to be one of the biggest draft busts in NHL history.[10][11] As a result of his contract buyout, the Islanders will continue to pay DiPietro $1.5 million annually until the end of the 2028–29 season.

  1. ^ Doyle, Paul (June 24, 2000). "Can't mask this talent". courant.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  2. ^ Radio Ink (August 21, 2017). "Hahn Gets His Own Show". Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Coryell, Grace. "Dynamic, Diverse and Accomplished Team to Present ESPN’s NHL Coverage to Fans," ESPN Press Room, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021
  4. ^ "DiPietro first goalie to go first overall". ESPN. November 8, 2000. Retrieved April 3, 2019. Goalie Michel Plasse was the first pick overall by Montreal in 1968 under rules governing the amateur draft.
  5. ^ CBC Sports (November 11, 2000). "Goalie goes first in NHL draft". Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  6. ^ CBC Sports (September 12, 2006). "DiPietro inks 15-year deal". Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  7. ^ The Canadian Press (July 3, 2013). "Islanders officially cut ties with Rick DiPietro, buy out final 8 years of goalie's contract". Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  8. ^ Kreda, Allan (July 1, 2013). "Islanders Buy Out DiPietro". The New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  9. ^ Branecky, Paul (November 26, 2013). "Checkers Release Rick DiPietro". Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  10. ^ Slawson, Devin (June 23, 2015). "5 Biggest Busts in NHL Draft History: 2000-2010". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  11. ^ Sadler, Emily (June 24, 2015). "Top 10 biggest busts in NHL draft history". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved March 27, 2020.