UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -Rick DiPietro had hip surgery this week, and the New York Islanders goalie is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp in September.
DiPietro, sidelined by two concussions 12 days apart late in the regular season and the start of the playoffs, had arthroscopic surgery Monday in Vail, Colo., to repair a tear in his left hip.
The 25-year-old netminder, who has 14 years and $63 million left on the landmark contract he signed last summer, went 32-19-9 with a 2.58 goals-against average in 62 regular-season games.
He sat out the final seven contests, when the Islanders made a run to the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference behind third-stringer Wade Dubielewicz, and the playoff opener against Buffalo. He returned for the last four games of New York’s first-round ouster.
DiPietro was 1-3 with a 3.31 GAA against the Sabres, stopping 114 of 127 shots in the series.
“Not that anyone needed any more proof that he’s a battler, but Rick gutted it out with this injury down the stretch and in the playoffs,” said Islanders general manager Garth Snow, DiPietro’s backup until Snow retired as a player to take this post before the season. “We’re happy to get a very positive report … and to know our No. 1 goaltender will be completely ready well before the start of training camp.”
DiPietro will be on crutches for two weeks and will rest for four to six weeks. The Islanders said DiPietro, the first goalie ever chosen first in the NHL draft when New York selected him in 2000, is expected to make a full recovery.
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