Michael DiPietro

Early Career and Junior Hockey

Michael DiPietro began his hockey journey as a defenceman before switching to goaltender at the age of nine, inspired by watching his step-brother play the position. He developed in the Sun County Panthers Minor Midget AAA system, where during the 2014-15 season he played 21 games and posted an .862 save percentage. His performance attracted the attention of OHL scouts, leading to his selection in the second round, 23rd overall, by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. His rookie OHL season in 2015-16 was immediately impressive, as he posted a 16-8-1 record with a .912 save percentage. That performance earned him the F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy for the rookie goaltender with the best goals-against average, making him the first Spitfire to ever win the award, and a spot on the OHL First All-Rookie Team.

His sophomore season was even more successful, as he backstopped the Windsor Spitfires to a Memorial Cup championship in 2017, recording a .932 save percentage in the championship game. For his role in that victory, DiPietro was awarded the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the tournament's top goaltender and was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, in addition to receiving OHL Third All-Star Team honours. Following two standout seasons, DiPietro's professional prospects solidified when the Vancouver Canucks selected him in the third round, 64th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He returned to Windsor for the 2017-18 season unsigned and delivered a career year. His dominance was recognized with the OHL Goaltender of the Year award and a place on the OHL First All-Star Team.

On May 31, 2018, he signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks. He began the 2018-19 season back with Windsor, where on October 28 he set the Spitfires' franchise record for career wins by a goaltender with his 79th victory in a 4-1 win over the Owen Sound Attack. After 21 games with Windsor, where he posted a .920 save percentage, he was traded to the Ottawa 67's on December 4, 2018, in exchange for forward Egor Afanaseyev and a series of draft picks ranging from 2019 to 2023. His move to Ottawa set the stage for the next phase of his junior career and a deep playoff run.

Professional Development and NHL Debut with Vancouver

DiPietro's first professional contract led to an accelerated, though intermittent, path to the NHL. After his trade to Ottawa, he helped the 67's to a strong finish, posting a 12-4-0-0 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and winning the Dave Pinkney Trophy alongside teammate Cedrick Andree for the OHL's lowest team goals-against average. His playoff run with Ottawa was stellar, as he went 13-0 before an injury in the OHL finals sidelined him for the remainder of the series, which the Guelph Storm went on to win. His first NHL call-up came on an emergency basis on February 5, 2019, after an injury to Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko. DiPietro made his NHL debut on February 11, 2019, in a 7-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, stopping 17 of 24 shots and becoming the second-youngest goaltender to debut for the Canucks in franchise history. He was returned to junior the following night.

His next NHL appearance did not come until January 2022, when COVID-19 protocols again created an opening. After Thatcher Demko entered protocols, DiPietro was called up on an emergency basis on January 21, 2022. He started against the St. Louis Blues on January 23 in a 3-1 loss after goaltender Spencer Martin also entered protocols, making 14 saves on 17 shots. On January 27, DiPietro was assigned to the team's taxi squad and was sent down to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks alongside Sheldon Dries the following day. Unable to secure a permanent NHL role with Vancouver and having earlier submitted a trade request, DiPietro entered his fourth professional season in 2022-23 assigned to Abbotsford. Before making his season debut, he was traded by the Canucks to the Boston Bruins on October 27, 2022, along with prospect Jonathan Myrenberg in exchange for forward Jack Studnicka. This trade marked a significant reset in his professional journey.

Transition to Boston and AHL Dominance

Assigned to the Bruins' AHL affiliate in Providence, DiPietro began a period of sustained development under the guidance of Bruins goaltending coach Bob Essensa and development coach Mike Dunham. The organization's proven track record with developing goaltenders like Dan Vladar and Brandon Bussi provided a strong environment for his growth. DiPietro competed for the NHL backup role during the 2026 preseason but was placed on waivers after Joonas Korpisalo secured the job. He cleared waivers and returned to Providence. There, he proceeded to have the two best seasons of his professional career, fundamentally altering his trajectory and forcing the Bruins to create an NHL opportunity for him.

The 2024-25 season was his definitive breakthrough. In 40 appearances, he compiled a 26-8-5 record, finishing second in the league in both wins and save percentage (.927) and third in goals-against average (2.05). His exceptional performance was recognized with a sweep of the AHL's major individual awards, including the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award and the Les Cunningham Award. Following this historic season, DiPietro was a pending Group 6 unrestricted free agent and generated significant interest around the league, with ESPN's Kevin Weekes reporting multiple teams were interested. He chose to re-sign with Boston on a two-year contract with a cap hit of $812,500, a deal that reflected both his value and the team's commitment to him.

General manager Don Sweeney cited DiPietro's AHL performance as the primary reason for trading established NHL backup Joonas Korpisalo to the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2026, for a fourth-round pick and a minor-league forward, explicitly clearing the path for DiPietro to assume the NHL role. Sweeney stated the organization believed DiPietro had earned the opportunity after proving everything he could at the AHL level, specifically pointing to the body of work from the previous two seasons. In the 2025-26 AHL season, DiPietro further solidified his case, setting new career highs with a 34-8-1 record, a 1.91 goals-against average, and a .930 save percentage. He won his second consecutive Aldege "Baz" Bastien Trophy and also picked up AHL MVP honours, confirming the Bruins' confidence in his readiness for the next step.

Establishing an NHL Role with the Bruins

DiPietro's promotion to the Boston Bruins' NHL roster for the 2026-27 season represented the culmination of his long professional journey. He made his Bruins debut on February 26, 2026, playing just 6 minutes and 3 seconds in relief after Joonas Korpisalo was pulled by the concussion spotter. Entering the 2026-27 campaign as Jeremy Swayman's backup, DiPietro's early performance showed promise. Through two appearances he held a 1-1-0 record with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. The Bruins' management expressed strong conviction in his ability to transition to the NHL, pointing to the work of coaches Bob Essensa and Mike Dunham and the successful graduation of other Providence goaltenders.

Sweeney noted that the team had to provide the opportunity to see if DiPietro could apply his AHL success at the highest level, stating that you are never going to know unless you get that chance. The presence of Vezina Trophy-caliber starter Jeremy Swayman, who finished third in voting for the award in the 2025-26 season, provided a stable environment to ease DiPietro into his new role without the pressure of carrying a starter's workload immediately. DiPietro's own comments, such as those made on NHL Tonight, reflected an appreciation for his long road to the NHL and the mentorship he received from Swayman. His story serves as an example for young players, demonstrating that development timelines can vary and that sustained excellence in the minors can eventually force an NHL opportunity. The Bruins' decision to trade a veteran to create space for him validated the years of work he put in with the Providence Bruins.

International Play

Michael DiPietro has represented Canada on several international stages throughout his career. His early involvement included participation in the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he played for Canada Red and finished in fourth place, and the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. After being a late cut from Canada's roster for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, he earned a spot on the team for the 2019 tournament. DiPietro started strong, recording a shutout in a 14-0 victory over Denmark in Canada's opening game on December 26, 2018. He was named Canada's player of the game in a 2-1 preliminary round loss to Russia, finishing the round-robin with a stellar .957 save percentage. Canada's tournament ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to Finland in the quarterfinals on January 2, 2019.

DiPietro later represented Canada at the senior level, winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Latvia. He was also named to the Canadian roster for the 2022 Spengler Cup tournament held in Davos, Switzerland. These experiences at both the junior and senior levels contributed to his development as a goaltender, exposing him to different styles of play and high-pressure tournament environments that complemented his North American professional training. The gold medal from the 2021 World Championship remains a significant achievement in his international career.

Playing Style and Personal Notes

Standing 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 207 pounds, DiPietro employs an athletic, competitive style in net. He has cited Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick as a player whose game he models his own after, particularly admiring Quick's agility and competitiveness. A notable personal trademark is a tattoo celebrating his 2017 Memorial Cup championship victory with the Windsor Spitfires. While he shares a surname with other notable hockey figures, he is not related to former Montreal Canadiens forward Paul DiPietro or former New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro. His journey is characterized by resilience, having spent several seasons proving his worth in the AHL before his NHL opportunity with Boston materialized.

DiPietro's path from a third-round draft pick to AHL MVP and finally to an NHL regular demonstrates a development curve that required patience. He was selected 64th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL entry draft and later traded to the Boston Bruins in October 2022. His ability to perform at an elite level in the AHL over consecutive seasons showed a consistent drive to improve. In the 2024-25 season, he had a 26-8-5 record and won the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as AHL goaltender of the year and the Les Cunningham Award for AHL MVP. He seized the opportunity when it finally arrived with the Boston Bruins after the trade of Joonas Korpisalo.

Career Statistics and Performance Data

Michael DiPietro's professional statistics highlight his progression from junior hockey to the NHL. During his final OHL season in 2018-19, he posted a .920 save percentage in 21 starts with the Windsor Spitfires before a trade to the Ottawa 67's. His standout AHL campaigns directly led to his NHL promotion with the Boston Bruins. In the 2024-25 AHL season, he finished with a 2.05 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage, ranking near the top of the league. He followed that with a 2025-26 season where he set career highs with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage for the Providence Bruins.

Honours and Awards

Throughout his hockey career, Michael DiPietro has accumulated significant recognition for his goaltending excellence at every level. His achievements include major junior championships, individual league awards, and international success. In junior, he won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires and received the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the tournament's top goaltender. He was also named OHL Goaltender of the Year and to the OHL First All-Star Team for the 2017-18 season. Professionally, he won the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's best goaltender and the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP in 2024-25.

• Memorial Cup Champion (2017)
• Memorial Cup All-Star Team (2017)
• Hap Emms Memorial Trophy (2017)
• OHL F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy (2016)
• OHL First All-Rookie Team (2016)
• OHL Third All-Star Team (2017)
• OHL Goaltender of the Year (2018)
• OHL First All-Star Team (2018)
• OHL Most Shutouts (7, 2018)
• OHL Best Goals-Against Average (2.40, 2018)
• Dave Pinkney Trophy (2019)
• Aldedge "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award (2025)
• Les Cunningham Award (2025)
• AHL First All-Star Team (2025)
• Doug Messier Award (PHPA) (2025)
• IIHF World Championship Gold Medal (2021)

His awards trace his development from a top OHL rookie to a Memorial Cup champion, then to the OHL's best goaltender, and finally to the apex of AHL recognition. As an OHL rookie, he won the F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team. He later helped guide the Windsor Spitfires to a Memorial Cup victory, winning the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy. In the AHL, he achieved the unique combination of winning the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award, the Les Cunningham Award, and the Doug Messier Award in 2025. Winning the Bastien Trophy again in 2025-26 confirmed his status as the league's premier goaltender over a sustained period.

Questions about Michael DiPietro

What major awards did DiPietro win in the AHL?

During the 2024-25 season with the Providence Bruins, Michael DiPietro won the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding goaltender and the Les Cunningham Award as the league's most valuable player. He was also named to the AHL First All-Star Team. After the season, he was voted the inaugural winner of the Professional Hockey Players' Association's Doug Messier Award as the most outstanding AHL player by his peers. He won the Bastien Trophy again in 2025-26 after another stellar season.

Did Michael DiPietro win the Memorial Cup?

Yes, Michael DiPietro backstopped the Windsor Spitfires to a Memorial Cup championship in 2017. During the tournament, he posted a .932 save percentage in the championship game. For his performance, he was awarded the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the tournament's top goaltender and was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. He commemorated the victory with a tattoo, marking it as a defining moment in his early career.

Has Michael DiPietro played for Team Canada?

Yes, Michael DiPietro has represented Canada internationally at multiple levels. He played in the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge for Canada Red and the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He was the starting goaltender for Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording a shutout against Denmark. At the senior level, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Latvia and also played in the 2022 Spengler Cup in Switzerland.

Which NHL team drafted Michael DiPietro?

Michael DiPietro was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks, who selected him in the third round, 64th overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Before this NHL draft, he was first drafted into major junior hockey by the Windsor Spitfires in the second round of the 2015 OHL Draft. The Canucks signed him to a three year entry level contract on May 31, 2018. He made his NHL debut with Vancouver on February 11, 2019, becoming the second youngest goaltender in franchise history to do so. After several seasons primarily in the AHL and having submitted a trade request, he was traded by the Canucks to the Boston Bruins on October 27, 2022, along with prospect Jonathan Myrenberg, in exchange for Jack Studnicka.

How did DiPietro finally earn the Bruins' backup goaltender job?

DiPietro earned the Bruins' NHL backup role through consecutive outstanding seasons in the American Hockey League. In the 2024 25 season with the Providence Bruins, he posted a 26 8 5 record with a .927 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average, winning the Aldege 'Baz' Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's top goaltender. He followed this with an even better 2025 26 campaign, setting career highs with a 1.91 GAA and .930 SV%. This sustained excellence convinced Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney that DiPietro was ready for the NHL. In the summer of 2026, Sweeney traded established backup Joonas Korpisalo, explicitly stating that DiPietro's AHL performance was the primary reason for creating the roster opening for him.

Is Michael DiPietro related to Rick DiPietro?

No, Michael DiPietro is not related to former New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro. He is also not related to former Montreal Canadiens forward Paul DiPietro, despite sharing their surname. Michael DiPietro was born on June 9, 1999, in Windsor, Ontario, and developed his game independently in the Ontario Hockey League system. He models his playing style after Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. His personal journey in hockey began as a defenceman before he switched to goaltender at age nine after watching his step brother play the position.

Sources and further reading

• Michael DiPietro (Wikipedia)
• NHL Tonight: Michael DiPietro Interview (nhl.com)
• Bruins Believe Michael DiPietro Is Ready for NHL ... (bostonhockeynow.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.