Spitfires’ Michael DiPietro named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 15 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.44 and save percentage of .954.
DiPietro becomes the first two-time award recipient of the 2016-17 campaign after turning aside 62 shots in a pair of victories for the Spitfires who improve their record to 27-8-5-1 holding onto fourth place in the OHL’s Western Conference standings. DiPietro was spectacular in the national spotlight during Thursday’s CHL on Sportsnet broadcast earning first star honours in a 3-2 shootout triumph over the Kitchener Rangers making 36 saves including seven during the three-on-three extra frame before denying all four shootout attempts. He followed that effort with a 26-save performance on Sunday in a 5-1 victory over the Saginaw Spirit.
A 17-year-old from Amherstburg, ON, DiPietro is playing in his second career season with the Spitfires who chose him in the second round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. So far this season he carries a record of 20-6-4-0 including four shutouts ranking second among OHL netminders in both goals-against-average and save percentage with marks of 2.20 and .921 respectively. On January 30 he will represent Team Orr in Quebec City at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Also considered for the award this week was rookie Olivier Rodrigue of the Drummondville Voltigeurs who posted a 1-0-0-1 record making 52 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.40 and save percentage of .945, and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips who went 1-0-1-0 including a shutout victory stopping 56 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.92 and save percentage of .933.
2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Francis Leclerc (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Griffen Outhouse (Victoria Royals)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Patrick Dea (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ryan Kubic (Vancouver Giants)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Flodell (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Liam Herbst (Guelph Storm)