• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Other Leagues
CHL
OHL

Michael DiPietro King of Windsor’s Crease

By Dave Jewell February 4th, 2017

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

When the Windsor Spitfires drafted goaltender Michael DiPietro in 2015, they were looking for stability in net. Not only did they get that but now they have a goaltender who is breaking team records.

With a shutout against the Saginaw Spirit on Feb. 2, DiPietro recorded his eighth career shutout. He surpasses former Spitfires’ goaltender Andrew Engelage, who had seven from 2007-09 with Windsor.

The shutout was also DiPietro’s sixth of the season. For a single-season, DiPietro’s six shutouts surpasses Engelage, who had five during the 2009 Memorial Cup run, and Anthony Guadagnolo, who had five in 2005-06.

Here is a list of DiPietro’s shutouts to this point.

  • 2015-16 season:
    Dec. 11, 2015 @ Sarnia – 3-0 W – 29 saves
    Jan. 7, 2016 v. OS – 5-0 W – 30 saves
  • 2016-17 season:
    Oct. 20, 2016 v. Kingston – 2-0 W – 25 saves
    Dec. 8, 2016 @ Barrie – 3-0 W – 21 saves
    Dec. 10, 2016 @ Sudbury – 6-0 W – 31 saves
    Dec. 11, 2016 @ North Bay – 3-0 W – 24 saves
    Jan. 19, 2017 v. Ottawa – 4-0 W – 31 saves
    Feb. 2, 2017 v. Saginaw – 4-0 W – 22 save

Here are some highlights from the Saginaw game that broke the record:

Local Product Eager to Learn

Before the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, the Spitfires swung a deal with the Sudbury Wolves to acquire the 23rd overall pick, which was the first pick in the second round. Windsor already had the 39th overall pick from Barrie, but they had a target in mind. When the 23rd pick came up, the Spitfires made no hesitation and selected DiPietro out of Sun County Panthers Minor Midget.

He came onto the team advertised as a local young goaltender who had incredible potential. The team brought him along slowly, having veterans Michael Guigovaz and Garret Hughson playing with DiPietro at points during the first-half of the 2015-16 season. Every challenge that DiPietro was handed, though, he took the reigns and asked for more. He wasn’t giving up the crease without a fight.

Windsor Spitfires’ goaltender Michael DiPietro. Dave Jewell/THW

By the start of the second half, he outlasted both Guigovaz and Hughson, who found other teams. DiPietro split time with free-agent goaltender Mario Culina, who came in from Sault Ste Marie of the NOJHL in the off-season. While he was only 16-years-old, DiPietro was more than willing to take on all comers.

It has brought a sense of calm to both the players and the fans. You know when you hear DiPietro’s name announced as the starter, you’re in for a good night at the rink.

Young Man Ready for Smashing Career

The 2016-17 season is a big one for DiPietro. Not only is it his NHL Draft year, but it has been his to run with. He’s taken full advantage, posting a goals-against-average of 2.09 and a save percentage of 0.927, both of which are improvements on last year. Both of those statistics also lead all OHL goaltenders.

DiPietro is currently ranked seventh among North American goaltenders for the upcoming 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and is the highest ranked goaltender in the OHL. Out of the six goaltenders rated above him, four are playing in the USHL, one is in the WHL and one is playing College hockey. DiPietro had a chance to showcase his talents at the 2017 CHL Top Prospects game in Quebec City on Jan. 30. Here is a clip of him making a big save during that game:

Windsor has 18 games remaining on the schedule and there’s little doubt DiPietro will be the goaltender for the majority. He has a chance to further separate himself from the pack and could easily do it. The OHL record for shutouts in a season is 10 by Mark Visentin for the Niagara Ice Dogs in 2011-12.  Jordan Binnington of Owen Sound is third on the list with seven in 2012-13.

When Engelage graduated to the pros, Spits fans were hoping another goaltender could come in and repeat his performance. It has taken seven seasons but that player has arrived. DiPietro is the goaltender fans deserve and he’s proving every game that he has a very bright future.

His name is going to go into the record books as one of the greatest goaltenders in Spitfires’ history and rightfully so. He truly has become the king of the crease.

  • Tags
  • Franchise Records
  • Michael DiPietro
  • Windsor Spitfires
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 25th 6:30 PM
Archives

San Jose Sharks Coaching History

Jan 25th 6:15 PM
Fantasy

4 Bounceback Candidates for the 2020-21 Fantasy Hockey Season

Jan 25th 6:13 PM
Archives

Blackhawks & Chelios: Together Again

Jan 25th 5:50 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Power-Play Strategy: A Wayne Simmonds’ Net-Front Statue

Jan 25th 5:40 PM
Ottawa Senators

Senators Loading Up Top Line Is a Mistake

Jan 25th 5:30 PM
Buffalo Sabres

3 Sabres Takeaways From Shootout Win Over the Capitals

Jan 25th 5:03 PM
Archives

Edmonton Oilers Jersey History

Jan 25th 4:25 PM
Column

NHL Players of the Week: Kopitar, Varlamov & More

Jan 25th 4:15 PM
Editor's Choice

A Look Back: Grading the Canes’ 2014 Draft Class

Jan 25th 3:45 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Weekly: Injuries, Milestones and Armstrong

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information