DiPietro Named An All-Star!

From Newsday.com

"To the distinction of being the first goaltender ever taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft and his selection to the U.S. Olympic hockey team in 2006, you now can add "NHL All-Star" to the resume of Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro. His selection as a reserve on the Eastern Conference team was announced Friday, and DiPietro was thrilled.

"Being a fan of hockey growing up, you watch the skills competition and the All-Star Game," DiPietro said. "It's kind of cliché to say the dream came true, but it really did."

Describing his anticipation of taking part in the All-Star festivities, which include a scoring competition for goalies, DiPietro added, "It's kind of like being a kid again. You get a chance to meet all these great players. Being in the skills competition is going to be a great time."




DiPietro and Florida's Tomas Vokoun were selected as the backups to starter Martin Brodeur of the Devils. The Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist was passed over despite running second in fan voting. Entering Friday night's game against Calgary, DiPietro had a 16-14-5 record, 2.52 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and two shutouts.

Coach Ted Nolan praised his goaltender's maturity and puckhandling skills and underlined his importance to the eighth-place Islanders. "I don't know anybody else more deserving," Nolan said. "We wouldn't be in a position we're in right now if it wasn't for the play of Ricky. Now the rest of the hockey world will see how important he is to our club and how talented he really is."

Maybe DiPietro got the nod over Lundqvist because the Islanders are 7-1 against the Devils and Rangers. In any case, DiPietro said the three-way local competition, which was featured in a Sports Illustrated article this week, has sharpened his game.

"When you get a chance to play against Marty on a consistent basis, you're learning from the best," DiPietro said. "I've had the last six years to study him and watch how he carries himself. You learn a lot, and it definitely makes you pick up your play when you look down at the other end and you've got arguably the best goalie to ever lace up the pads. It definitely increases your intensity level."

Let's Go Isles!!!