DIPIETRO ALREADY MAKING IMPACT FOR 67’S OFF ICE
Much-heralded Mikey DiPietro hasn’t taken the net yet and the Ottawa 67’s biggest trade acquisition ever is already having a huge impact on the 67’s franchise.
Out on Exhibition Way at the 67’s box office, activity suggests DiPietro’s arrival could trigger one of the biggest 67’s crowds since the team returned to a refurbished Arena at TD Place in 2014.
The breaking news of the arrival of the Team Canada goaltender Tuesday sparked an instant surge in online ticket sales of more than 300 tickets for what will be DiPietro’s TD Place debut in a 67’s jersey Saturday afternoon against the Gatineau Olympiques.
As DiPietro took part in his first practice with the new teammates Wednesday morning, that 300 figure in ticket sales was expected to be easily matched or surpassed by end of day.
Ottawa Sports and Entertainment vice-president of communications and special projects Randy Burgess says the sale of 300 tickets is the equivalent of a strong walk-up crowd on a game day.
That the 67’s fans have responded that way twice, and four and five days ahead of DiPietro’s start, is remarkable as DiPietro began to settle into his new life less than 24 hours after he became a former Windsor Spitfire.
“I was a wreck,” said DiPietro, in front of an Ottawa Senators-sized media group on the arena concourse after really leaving home for the first time to play. “I think (Wednesday) is the first day I haven’t cried this week. It’s definitely been an emotional time for me.
“My dad (Vic) always prepared me for the fact I wouldn’t always be able to stay at home and play. But it’s definitely been an emotional time for me.
“And I love to win. Something special is happening here. I feel very honoured and blessed to now play for two great organizations. And it’s great to get started.”
DiPietro won’t be around Ottawa for long, not this time.
After Thursday morning’s practice, he flies back to Windsor to represent the Spitfires’ 2017 Memorial Cup team and help honour 10 seasons of Spitfire hockey at the WFCU Centre.
By Friday morning, he’ll be back in the air to Ottawa and will suit up when the 67’s play the Olympiques that night in Gatineau. DiPietro, naturally, wants to start. And 67’s head coach Andre Tourigny would like to throw his new player into the fire. So it could come down to a game-time decision.
But there’s no question who will be in the net Saturday afternoon because DiPietro flies to Victoria Sunday morning for Team Canada training camp. The 67’s won’t see him again, except on TV, until the second week of January.
That means the workload in goal will be turned back over to 18-year-old Cedric Andree, who has a league-leading 19 wins and a goals-against average fifth best in the league, four spots back of DiPietro.
Tourigny said one of the most difficult moments he’s had this season was a conversation with Andree Sunday telling him there was a chance a new No. 1 goalie was going to arrive.
“I told Ceddy that he’s been a warrior for us for two years but that we might have the opportunity to get a world-class goalie,” said Tourigny, still emotional over delivering the message. “I didn’t say a name.
“Ceddy asked what our longterm plan was and I told him he would be our No. 1 goalie next year.
“So he asked and I said Michael DiPietro. His reaction was something I didn’t expect. He said, ‘He’s a helluva goalie’ ... His reaction showed just how selfless he is. I so respect him for his reaction.”
And when the trade was official, Andree even reached out with a text to his new mentor, welcoming him to the 67’s.
“I have played enough Be a GM (mode),” said Andree, of the EA Sports game. “He’s a world-class goalie.
“Ever since the season started, I knew we might get another goalie. I was an 18-year-old with one win last year. Obviously I would like to play. But we have such a great team here. Besides, it’s the first time I have ever played with another goalie who likes to stay out late after practice and do the shootouts. Usually, it was just me out there all alone.”