| Born: | September 19, 1981 | Draft: | 2000 Islanders #1 Overall |
| Hometown: | Winthrop, MA | Position: | Goaltender |
| Known For: | 15-year contract | Catches: | Right |
| National Team: | United States |
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’s “DCR” with Chris Canty and Dave Rothenberg. On June 24, 2000, DiPietro became the first of two goaltenders in history selected first overall in an NHL Entry Draft when he was chosen by the New York Islanders, the second being Marc-André Fleury three years later.
In 2006, the team signed him to a groundbreaking 15-year, $67.5 million contract, 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. 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. Multiple hockey writers consider him to be one of the biggest draft busts in NHL history. As a result of his contract buyout, the Islanders will continue to pay DiPietro $1.5 million until the end of the 2028–29 season.
Rick DiPietro Statistics
Deeper Dive
- New York Islanders’ Rick DiPietro: Life After Hockey
- 2000 NHL Draft: 21 Goalies Chosen Before Henrik Lundqvist
- 10 Worst Mike Milbury Trades, Contracts and Transactions
- Islanders: Revisiting the 2010-11 Goalie Carousel
- Top 3 Goalies in New York Islanders History
- The Worst First Overall Draft Picks in NHL History
Achievements
- NHL All-Star Game (2008)
- AHL All-Star Game (2002)
- NCAA (Hockey East) Rookie of the Year (2000)
- NCAA (New England) Most Valuable Player (2000)
- U20 WJC All-Star Team (2000)
- U20 WJC Best Goaltender (2000)