The woes of Rick DiPietro continue, as the former New York Islanders goaltender has been released from his professional tryout contract with the American Hockey League’s Charlotte Checkers.
The 32-year-old was the first-overall pick in the 2000 NHL Draft, but after signing a 15-year, $67.5 million contract extension with the Islanders in 2006 his career took a drastic slide.
DiPietro, who has played just 50 games in the NHL following the 2007-08 season, was placed on unconditional waivers and had the remainder of his contract bought out in July.
In five appearances with the Checkers, Dipietro struggled, going 0-4 with a goals-against average of 5.18 and a save percentage of .846; he signed the tryout agreement on Oct. 26.
According to Brian Stubits of CBCSports, DiPietro was released at his own request.
“He called Jim Rutherford last night and thanked him for the opportunity,” Checkers coach Jeff Daniels told Stubits. “He just didn’t think it was going to go anywhere. I talked to him last week and said right now we have three goalies here and we’re waiting for one of them to step up and be the guy. The opportunity was there for him to do that, but he didn’t feel that it was going to go his way.”
