Rick DiPietro

Richard W. DiPietro Jr., born on September 19, 1981, is a notable figure in the world of ice hockey, recognized for his role as a goaltender. He made history on June 24, 2000, when he was selected first overall in the NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders, becoming only the second goaltender to achieve this distinction.

In 2006, DiPietro signed a groundbreaking contract with the Islanders, valued at sixty-seven million five hundred thousand dollars over fifteen years. However, his career was marred by a series of injuries starting in 2008, which severely limited his playtime to just fifty NHL appearances over the subsequent five seasons. This unfortunate turn of events led to a contract buyout on July 2, 2013, leaving eight years remaining on his deal.

After his time with the Islanders, DiPietro briefly played for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League, signing a tryout contract on October 25, 2013. He ultimately retired from professional hockey on November 26, 2013. Despite his early promise, many hockey analysts consider him a draft bust due to the challenges he faced throughout his career.

Today, DiPietro has transitioned into broadcasting, co-hosting ESPN New York's