Isles still have big plans for DiPietro

By Amy Nelson, Special to CNNSI.com

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Imagine life as Rick DiPietro.

You're one of the most visible prospects in all of hockey. In June of 2000, you became the first goaltender in NHL draft history to be selected with the top overall pick. Last season, you played in 19 games for the New York Islanders last season and were a nightly showcase on the highlight shows.

People outside of professional hockey even recognized your name and where you were headed. Rick DiPietro. Future NHL goaltender.

DiPietro's performance last season, his first as a professional, was nothing short of disappointing. Although the feisty netminder finally cracked the Isles lineup in late January, a 3-15-1-0 record as an NHL rookie did not guarantee a roster spot this fall.

With the team's offseason spending spree that included Michael Peca and Alexei Yashin, Islanders fans knew that, in order for their team to compete, New York needed a top-notch goalie. It would have been awfully difficult for Islanders general manager Mike Milbury to convince fans that an inexperienced 20 year-old would be starting in goal on Opening Night.

So, Milbury wasted little time in acquiring two-time Stanley Cup champion Chris Osgood in the waiver draft over the offseason. And, with that, DiPietro was sent packing, back to the minor leagues and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

The Massachusetts native wasted no time in trying to prove that he is worth the hype. This season, DiPietro has posted a 2.54 goals-against average with an 8-5-4-0 record. Last month, he looked almost untouchable, compiling an eight game unbeaten streak.

DiPietro seems content with his current lot in Bridgeport, which is a short trip from DiPietro's hometown. He believes in the Islanders' plans and clearly sees where things currently stand.

"As far as a business position goes, there's a lot less chance of losing with Osgood than there is with a 20-year-old," said DiPietro. "You have to look it that way and not try to beat yourself up too much about it."

Islander fans don't need a long-term memory to recall the days of their previous "goaltender of the future." That was Roberto Luongo, whom Milbury made the fourth overall pick in the 1997 draft and then dealt away to the Florida Panthers in the summer of 2000. Is DiPietro at all concerned that the same fate may befall him?

"I know Roberto Luongo kind of went through the same thing that I'm going through now," said DiPietro. "He got juggled up and down between minors and the Islanders. But, he's got a chance to be a starting goalie right now, and he's flourishing in Florida."

With the reputation of being a somewhat self-absorbed flashing netminder, DiPietro has not fit that bill thus far in Bridgeport.

Steve Stirling, in is first year as expansion Bridgeport's head coach, was fully aware of DiPietro's reputation but also realized that the young netminder would have to continue his learning curve to advance his career.

"That's the only way you learn, by playing and making mistakes and learning from them," said Stirling. "I reminded [DiPietro] that it didn't hurt Roberto Luongo. He was in the same boat where he was highly touted, started with us and played a few games. All of the sudden, a year later, he was a top goalie in the NHL. And, he was a young kid. So, playing 30 or 40 games didn't hurt Roberto, and I remind Ricky that if he plays 30 or 40 or 50, when you go up, you're going to go up for good instead of going up and down like a yo-yo."

Such is life in professional hockey. And, Stirling knows that DiPietro needs his time in the AHL to improve on his game and more importantly, to mature as an individual.

"I felt that way the first time I met him," said Stirling of DiPietro's attitude. "I heard that he was cocky, but the first impression was more confident, maybe borderline cocky. But, two days later, as soon as we warmed up to each other, it was like a whole different person. It's his air about him."

For now, DiPietro works hard and has fun with his team. Bridgeport is one of the best teams in the league, and DiPietro is close enough to see his family often. But he knows that his future is unclear and that only he can control his performance.

"You learn, especially in this business," DiPietro said, "Not to trust anything. You've got to be out there looking out for your physical fitness and your well-being and always work your hardest to stay on top, which is key."

Q&A with Rick DiPietro

Q: Being a goalie, is there ever a "lone warrior" mentality that you maintain when out there on the ice?

A: If I go out there and make a mistake and let it affect me for the rest of the game, then I'm going to make more mistakes throughout the course of the game and let it affect the outcome of the game. So, I try not to let it bother me.

Q: Is that why you try to lighten things up with your teammates in the locker room?

A: My personality is to be really talkative and just have fun with the guys. I think it's what I've always done. As a goalie, it helps me to kind of give off a relaxed personality, so your teammates know that you're focused and confident.

Q: Is it a good atmosphere in Bridgeport, because a lot of the guys on your team are around your age?

A: Yeah, most of the guys, we're around the same age. I think most of them are under 30, so it makes for a lot of fun in the locker room.

Q: Are you intimidated by anyone when you're on the ice?

A: It's not intimidation. You don't go out there with the mentality that you're going to be intimidated and that there are guys out there that are better than you, especially in the NHL. It's just fun, you look at them, and they're just like you. They're all striving for the same kind of thing, and it's a lot of fun to compete and give it your best each day.

Q: I would imagine that you're pretty vocal on the ice?

A: I think as a goalie, you need to be the quarterback out there, because you can see the whole ice and you can see a play developing and to have the game sense to know where and when to move. I think, as a goaltender, you're expected to know that.

Q: Do you ever get sick of being labeled "highly touted prospect"?

A: Well, I have to say it's not something I think about or put any emphasis on. I just try to go out there every night and do my best to win for the guys in the locker room. If that gets me to the next level, then that's what I'm looking for.

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