A goalie named DiPietro? Is this a good thing?
With the 63rd overall selection, the Vancouver Canucks select goaltender Michael Dipietro from the Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires!
By The Numbers
Born: June 9, 1999, Windsor, Ontario
Position: G
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 192 lbs.
Catches: Left
Notable Rankings
Future Considerations: 28th
hockeyprospect.com: 37th
Bob McKenzie (TSN): 41st
What We Like
DiPietro is a winner! He never gives up on a play and will do whatever it takes to prevent the opposition from scoring. His 2.35 goals against average and .917 save percentage are spectacular numbers for any netminder in the high octane Ontario Hockey League.
Many scouts consider DiPietro the most athletic goaltender in the draft which allows him to make many game changing saves.
What Concerns Us
A couple of things kept DiPietro from being taken earlier in this year’s draft. His size is a factor, even though he is still 6’ tall. The movement to bigger and bigger netminders plays a bit of a factor here. Keep in mind many people do grow beyond their 18th birthday... and really, 6’ isn’t THAT short!
The other concern, which I would suggest is more important would be his puck handling. Luckily this is one of those things that can be worked on with coaching and mentoring... As long as it’s not Schneider and Luongo doing the mentoring!
NHL Comparison
Jaroslav Halak
What’s Next
DiPietro will return to Windsor to defend the Spitfire’s Memorial Cup Championship, and hopefully be a member of Canda’s 2018 World Junior team.
This post first appeared on Vancouver Canucks Schedule, Roster, News, And Rumo, please read the originial post: here