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Vancouver Canucks Prospect Michael DiPietro Injured in OHL Final

By Ben Steiner|
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 03: Ottawa 67's Goalie Michael DiPietro (64) is interviewed after Ontario Hockey League action between the Mississauga Steelheads and Ottawa 67's on March 3, 2019, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 03: Ottawa 67's Goalie Michael DiPietro (64) is interviewed after Ontario Hockey League action between the Mississauga Steelheads and Ottawa 67's on March 3, 2019, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Vancouver Canucks goaltending prospect Michael DiPietro’s season likely comes to an end with an unfortunate injury.

Vancouver Canucks goaltending prospect Michael DiPietro was forced to leave game two of the OHL finals mid-way through the first period due to an injury to his right leg. DiPietro, who has set multiple OHL records this season, has been carrying the Ottawa 67’s since he was traded from Windsor earlier this season. Here is a video of the injury:

He finished the regular season with the 67’s boasting a .917 save percentage; good for the best ever in the OHL; all the while becoming the goaltender with the most wins in league history. Through the first three rounds and one game of the playoffs, DiPietro has kept up his stellar form, so it will be a big hit for the 67’s for the remainder of their finals series against the Guelph Storm. 

Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal reported that the injury appears to be a high ankle sprain. As Dhaliwal points out, that’s tough news for a kid who has yet to lose a game in these playoffs.

DiPietro has had an eventful last couple of seasons. Last year he was one of the final cuts on Team Canada for the world juniors. In response to that, he led the Windsor Spitfires to the 2018 Memorial Cup. This year has been even better. It started with a trade to Ottawa, then he secured the starting role for Team Canada at the 2019 World Juniors, and a month later he made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks; albeit a 7-2 embarrassment as a result of a goaltending crisis. he was not expecting to have an NHL game under his belt already, but as I chronicled earlier; he learned a lot from it. 

The 67’s remain a very good hockey team, and will rely upon backup goaltender Cedrick Andree for the remainder of the playoffs, and possibly the Memorial cup if they are to win the OHL. His relief appearance in game two was Andree’s first ever OHL playoff appearance. It is unknown exactly how long DiPietro will be sidelined, however, it does not appear that he will be back this season.

DiPietro was the Vancouver Canucks 3rd round, and 64th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

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