Michael DiPietro Continues to Shine for the Providence Bruins

Michael DiPietro: Rising to Star Level in the AHL

Michael DiPietro was born on June 9, 1999, in Windsor, Ontario. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. On October 27, 2022, he was traded to the Bruins along with Jonathan Myrenberg in exchange for Jack Studnicka. At that time, DiPietro was considered a “throw in” in the deal. DiPietro has worked his way up, demonstrating skill and commitment.

Early Career and AHL Success

DiPietro started his hockey career as a defenseman but switched to goaltender when he was nine. He worked hard in his quest to become the best goaltender he could be, even at an early age. He was drafted by his hometown Spitfires in the second round, 23^rd overall at the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He stood out with a .912 save percentage during his first season with Windsor during the 2015-2016 season. He continued to perform well, playing a key role in the Spitfires’ victory in the Memorial Cup in 2017 and receiving the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the top goaltender at the Memorial Cup.

In 2018, DiPietro signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks and began his professional career. But something happened to his development with the Canucks. Vancouver decided to carry him on the taxi squad for almost the entire COVID season in 2021, losing a crucial year of development. His agent Darren Ferris publicly stated the Canucks “mismanaged” his development and that his client wanted to seek other opportunities.

Over the years, he has played for various AHL teams, including the Utica Comets, Abbotsford Canucks, and Providence Bruins. His hard work and dedication have paid off, as he was recently recalled by the Boston Bruins to backup Joonas Korpisalo after an injury to Jeremy Swayman, evidence that DiPietro has surpassed the once promising Brandon Bussi as the go-to guy in Providence. A lot of credit to DiPietro’s resurgence has to go to Mike Dunham, who works with the Bruins goaltending prospects.

AHL All-Star Game and Recognition

DiPietro’s exceptional play this season earned him a spot in the 2025 AHL All-Star Game. In 22 games with the Providence Bruins, he posted a 14-5-3 record, a 1.95 goals-against average (GAA), and a .930 save percentage. His selection to the All-Star Game is a testament to his skill and potential as a top-tier goaltender, at least at the AHL level.

Career Achievements

2014-2015 – Canada Winter Games Championship

2014-2015 – OHL Gold Cup Silver Medal

2015-2016 – Dinty Moore Trophy (Best rookie GAA – OHL)

2015-2016 – OHL First All-Rookie Team

2015-2016 – WHC U17 Best GAA

2016-2017 – Memorial Cup Championship

2016-2017 – Memorial Cup Outstanding Goaltender

2016-2017 – Memorial Cup All-Star Team

2016-2017 – OHL Third All-Star Team

2016-2017 – OHL Most Shutouts

2017-2018 – OHL Goaltender of the Year

2017-2018 – OHL First All-Star Team

2017-2018 – OHL Most Shutouts

2018-2019 – Dave Pinkney Trophy (Best GAA – OHL)

2018-2019 – WJC U20 Best GAA

2018-2019 – WJC U20 Top 3 Player on Team     

2024-2025 – CCM Top Goaltender – AHL Skills Competition (shared)

NHL Aspirations and Future Prospects

While DiPietro has made only three career NHL appearances with the Canucks, his recent recall by the Bruins indicates that the Bruins are very much aware of the work he has put in. With a record of 14-5-4 in the AHL this season, DiPietro has proven that he has what it takes to compete. His journey from a young goaltender in the OHL to an AHL All-Star has fans asking if he has NHL potential.

As DiPietro continues to hone his skills and gain more pro experience, his chances of becoming a successful NHL backup look attainable. I can say that without a shadow of a doubt, in my years of covering and scouting the OHL, I have never come across a goaltender who works as hard as DiPietro.

My Scouting Report

Strengths:

• Athleticism: DiPietro’s quick reflexes and agility make him a formidable presence in the net.
• Positioning: He excels at reading plays and positioning himself well to make key saves.
• Work Ethic: Known for his dedication and relentless work ethic, DiPietro is always looking to improve.

Areas for Improvement:

• Consistency: While he has shown flashes of brilliance, maintaining consistency over a full season remains a challenge. He appears to have found that consistency this season.
• Size: At 6’0″ and 200 lbs, DiPietro is undersized for an NHL goaltender, which can be a disadvantage in certain situations. There have been success stories for sure, but the only way we will find out if DiPietro can be one of those stories is to get s hot.

Future Outlook: DiPietro’s journey is far from over. With continued development and more opportunities, he has the potential to become a reliable NHL backup. His recent recall by the Bruins is a positive sign. However, he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season

Michael DiPietro’s career is a testament to the power of hard work and determination.