With his NHL debut just hours away yesterday, a pumped-up Rick DiPietro was brimming with enough energy to end the power crisis in California.
Called up from the minors on Friday, the 19-year old rookie goaltender was “ecstatic” about starting for the Islanders last night against the playoff-bound Sabres and goalie Dominik Hasek at the Coliseum.
“I called the family and said, ‘Hurry up and get down here,'” DiPietro said in his rapid-fire Boston-accented delivery, following a morning skate. “I started getting a little butterflies going in the stomach. It was great news.”
As the No. 1 overall pick of the Entry Draft in June, DiPietro was the first goalie taken first since the modern-day draft was instituted in ’69. Chosen after his freshman season at Boston University, the Winthrop, Mass., native signed a three-year, $3.225 million deal, which could also bring him another $10 million in incentives.
The Islanders had hoped that DiPietro could make the club this season, in which he could learn the ropes from 37-year old goalie John Vanbiesbrouck. But slowed by an early training camp injury, DiPietro failed to make an impression with the club. To his chagrin, he was assigned to Chicago of the IHL.
“I think it was kind of a godsend that I actually did get sent down although I hate to admit it, I was pretty upset,” said DiPietro, sporting black Elvis-like sideburns. “I think it’s a lot better for me to make mistakes in the minors rather than up here in the spotlight. I’m 10 times better than I was in the beginning of the season as far as making the right decisions with the puck and just being a professional.”
The Isles finally decided to see just how much progress he’s made. The opportunity arose when Vanbiesbrouck was shelved by back-spasms Friday morning, forcing Wade Flaherty to step in that night as the starter for the Isles’ 3-2 victory against the Rangers at the Garden. After being hesitant about using DiPietro to this point, general manager Mike Milbury concluded that his No. 1 pick deserved a chance following a string of good performances with the Wolves.
Also, with the Isles (13-29-5-2) out of playoff contention, even a bad DiPietro showing will not cost them anything.
“This is what I’ve dreamt about, playing in the NHL,” said DiPietro, who had not played in two previous visits to the Islanders. “I really don’t know where I fit in here, don’t know if I can hang with the big boys or if I belong at this level. So it will be interesting to see [against the Sabres].”
After a frustrating start with Chicago this season, DiPietro, a stick-handling specialist, was developing admirably with the job. Before the callup, he was 4-5-2 with a 3.39 GAA and a .880 save percentage. But DiPietro was particularly effective during the World Junior Championships last month in Russia, when he led Team USA with a 5-1-0 record, a 1.33 GAA and a .927 save percentage.
DiPietro admits that life after college has been lonely. As the young gun on a veteran Wolves club, DiPietro said he had “the blues” spending a lot of time by himself away from the rink.
“It’s tough living alone,” he said.
After tonight, whether he will be sent back to Chicago or remain with the Isles is not thought to be determined. His performance might impact that decision.
“I’m trying not to think about that because I don’t want to put any more pressure that’s already on me here,” DiPietro said. “But if I play well, who knows? Maybe I’ll stay up, maybe I won’t. But it’s about my development here.”
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D Kenny Jonsson (knee) was questionable for last night’s game. He did not play against the Rangers Friday night.