Former Spitfire Michael DiPietro recalled to NHL

Amherstburg native and former Windsor Spitfire Michael DiPietro is getting another chance to live his dreams. 

DiPietro, who is just the fifth goalie in league history to start in an NHL game under the age of 20, will rejoin the Vancouver Canucks as goalie Jacob Markstrom is on leave of absence for his father’s memorial service. 

Despite letting in seven goals in his NHL debut, DiPietro believes his time in the American Hockey league with the Utica Comets and his time representing Team Canada in four World Junior Championships has helped improve his game. 

“I’m very grateful for every opportunity that I’m given and just trying to soak it in,” said DiPietro. “It’s a great learning experience right now getting the call, but I’ll probably be sent back down. And when that time comes, I’m going to take what I learned here and try to be the best version of myself and the best goaltender I can be.” 

While the young goalie believes he will be sent back down to the AHL in Utica, he remains positive and wants to learn from each experience. 

“I’m going to do everything I possibly can to get better each day like I’m doing now,” said DiPietro. “Until that day comes [starting in the NHL], I’m going to constantly continue to learn to get better continue to be a positive. I want to represent my hometown properly.” 

The star goalie won a Memorial Cup and with the Spitfires in 2017 and was the franchise’s first goalie of the year recipient in the OHL.