Rick DiPietro is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Islanders. He was born on September 19, 1981, in Winthrop, Massachusetts, and began playing hockey at a young age. DiPietro was drafted first overall by the Islanders in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, making him the first goaltender to be selected first overall in the draft's history.

DiPietro made his NHL debut in 2001 and quickly established himself as one of the league's top young goaltenders. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in his first season and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL's top rookie. DiPietro continued to play well for the Islanders over the next few seasons, earning a spot on the NHL All-Star Team in 2008.

However, DiPietro's career was plagued by injuries. He suffered a concussion in 2007 that forced him to miss significant time, and he underwent multiple surgeries on his hips and knees over the years. These injuries limited his playing time and effectiveness, and he was eventually bought out of his contract by the Islanders in 2013.

Despite his injury troubles, DiPietro was a talented goaltender when healthy. He had a career save percentage of .902 and a goals against average of 2.87. He also represented the United States in international competition, winning a silver medal at the 2010 IIHF World Championships.

Since retiring from hockey, DiPietro has worked as a radio host and analyst for ESPN and the New York Islanders. He has also been involved in various charitable endeavors, including the Rick DiPietro Foundation, which raises money for children's charities in the New York area.

Overall, Rick DiPietro had a successful but injury-plagued career in the NHL. He was a talented goaltender who was unfortunately unable to stay healthy for extended periods of time. Despite this, he remains a respected figure in the hockey world and has continued to make a positive impact off the ice.

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