Sports • Ice Hockey

Rick DiPietro

Rick DiPietro is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender best known for his NHL career with the New York Islanders.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rick DiPietro is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender best known for his NHL career with the New York Islanders. He was selected first overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and later represented the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Injuries limited his career, but he remained a notable figure in Islanders history and later worked in broadcasting.

Early life and amateur career

Rick DiPietro grew up in Winthrop, Massachusetts, and played college hockey at Boston University before entering the NHL draft.

NHL career

The New York Islanders selected DiPietro first overall in 2000, making him one of the most prominent goaltending prospects of his era. He spent his NHL career with the Islanders and recorded 130 career wins.

International play

DiPietro was selected for Team USA at the 2006 Winter Olympics and started four of the team's six games.

Injuries and retirement

Recurring injuries limited DiPietro's playing time and shortened his NHL career. He retired in 2013 after 318 regular-season games.

Broadcasting career

After his playing career, DiPietro moved into media work, including analyst roles for ESPN and commentary work related to the Islanders.

Key facts

DiPietro was drafted first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
He played his NHL career primarily with the Islanders and finished with 318 regular-season games, 130 wins, and 16 shutouts.
He represented the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where he served as the team's top goaltender.
His career was significantly affected by injuries, which limited his total NHL appearances.
After retiring, he became a hockey broadcaster and analyst, including work for ESPN.

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Canadian context

He is relevant to Canadian readers through the NHL and the Islanders' frequent matchups with Canadian teams, as well as his participation in international hockey events watched widely in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rick DiPietro?

Rick DiPietro is a retired American NHL goaltender best known for playing for the New York Islanders.

When was Rick DiPietro drafted?

He was selected first overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders.

What position did Rick DiPietro play?

He played as a goaltender.

Did Rick DiPietro play for Team USA?

Yes. He represented the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Why is Rick DiPietro notable in Islanders history?

He was the Islanders' first overall pick and became one of their main goaltenders, despite injuries that limited his career.

What did Rick DiPietro do after retirement?

He worked as a hockey analyst and broadcaster, including roles with ESPN and related radio coverage.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_DiPietro
Supports: Draft position, college background, and 2006 Olympic participation.
NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/player/rick-dipietro-8468481
Supports: Birth details, draft status, career statistics, and goaltending position.
New York Islanders / NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/25-years-later-rick-dipietro-reflects-on-his-first-overall-selection
Supports: Career overview, injuries, games played, wins, shutouts, and retirement year.
ESPN Press Room — https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/rick-dipietro/
Supports: Broadcasting career, Islanders history, first overall draft selection, and post-playing roles.
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/_/id/1108/rick-dipietro
Supports: Career NHL statistics and player bio details.
Boston University Terriers — https://goterriers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/rick-dipietro/1287
Supports: College hockey affiliation at Boston University.