Michael DiPietro sets new OHL record for shutouts

Canucks’ prospect Michael DiPietro is making history in the OHL.

After being traded to the Ottawa 67’s from the Windsor Spitfires and backstopping Team Canada at the 2019 World Junior Championships, the 19-year-old netminder is back doing his thing in the OHL crease.

DiPietro pitched a  15-save shutout against Peterborough on Friday evening, as the 67’s took down the Petes by a 4-0 score. It was Dipietro’s first shutout with Ottawa and the 17th of his career.

With the shutout victory, DiPietro passes Thomas McCollum for most career OHL shutouts. McCollum, who was drafted 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 NHL Draft, previously held the record (16) playing for Guelph and Brampton from 2006-09.

DiPietro had allowed just two goals in his prior two games before heading to Vancouver for the World Juniors, but struggled in his first two games back, allowing nine goals.

DiPietro was part of an OHL blockbuster trade in early-December that saw the Spitfires deal their longtime netminder to the Ottawa 67’s in exchange for forward Yegor Afanasyev, four second-round draft picks and three conditional picks.

DiPietro led the Spitfires to the Memorial Cup Championship in 2017 and became the first player in franchise history last season to be named OHL goalie of the year. It didn’t take long for the Vancouver prospect to make an impression in Ottawa, pitching his first shutout in the fourth game with his new club.

It’s another impressive accomplishment in what’s shaping up to be a solid year for Vancouver’s third-round draft pick in 2017. Out of all OHL goalies with at least 20 games played, DiPietro ranks third with a .915 save percentage and 2.40 GAA through 25 appearances.

The milestone for DiPietro comes on a night 23-year-old netminder Thatcher Demko is making his first start of the season for the Canucks.

The future is certainly looking bright in the Vancouver crease.