New York Islander's Rick Dipietro and His Hockey Career

Rick Dipietro is one of the most impressive goalies currently playing in the NHL. Rick Dipietro was born in Lewiston, Maine on September 19, 1981, making him twenty-seven years old. Dipietro is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 210 pounds. Rick Dipietro's impressive hockey career begins in the 1999-2000 at Boston University. During his time at Boston University Rick Dipietro was named to the All-Rookie Team, where he was awarded co-MVP. Rick Dipietro was also named to the Second Team All-Hockey East, where he was named Rookie of the Year. Dipietro also played in one Beanpot Tournament, where he was awarded the Elbery Trophy, a trophy awarded to the tournament's top goalie, and named MVP of the tournament.

In 2000, Rick Dipietro was drafted by the New York Islanders, 1st overall. He was the fourth American hockey player to be chosen first in an NHL draft, which is quite an impressive accomplishment. In the 2000-2001 season, Dipietro started off with the New York Islanders immediately, although he only played twenty games, 17 of which were losses. In that same season, Rick Dipietro was moved down to the IHL (International Hockey League) to play with the Chicago Wolves. The IHL was a league that was supposed to serve the same purpose as the AHL (American Hockey League), that is, farm teams and developmental league for the NHL, but the league came to an end in 2001.

Rick Dipietro started off the 2001-2002 season with the Bridgeport Tigers in the AHL and remained there the entire season. Dipietro also started off his 2002-2003 season with the Bridgeport Tigers, and played a little over thirty games with them before being called up to play with the New York Islanders. Rick Dipietro was still with the New York Islanders at the beginning of the 2003-2004 season, where he played about fifty games before he was moved back down to the AHL to play with the Bridgeport Tigers, where he only played two games before the season was over. Rick Dipietro did not play during the 2004-2005 NHL Lockout. Dipietro started off the 2005-2006 season with the New York Islanders and played his first full season with them that year. Rick Dipietro played with the New York Islanders the 2006-2007, and 2007-2008 season. Dipietro was selected to play in the 2008 NHL All-Star game and was the starting goalie after Martin Brodeur dropped out. He remained with them the 2008-2009 season, but due to a knee injury, was in and out of the lineup.

Rick Dipietro has also represented the United States in many international events. He was the goalie in the World Junior Hockey Championship in both 2000 and 2001. He also played in the World Cup of Hockey in 2004. Dipietro was the goalie for the IIHF World Championship in 2005 and played with the United States Olympic team in 2006.

ref-www.nhl.com