Michael DiPietro Named AHL Goaltender of the Month After Dominant January Run
The American Hockey League spotlight is shining bright on Providence, and it’s for good reason-goaltender Michael DiPietro has been named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for January, and the numbers behind the honor tell the story of a netminder operating at the top of his game.
DiPietro, 26, was nearly unbeatable over the course of the month, going 8-1-0 with a stingy 1.34 goals against average and a jaw-dropping .949 save percentage. That’s not just good-it’s elite. In six of his nine starts, he allowed one goal or fewer, including a shutout performance against Cleveland on January 17 that showcased just how locked in he’s been.
At 6 feet tall and 205 pounds, DiPietro may not have the towering frame of some modern goaltenders, but he plays with a calm confidence and technical precision that’s been giving shooters fits all season. Through 23 starts, he leads the entire AHL in both goals against average (1.67) and save percentage (.940), and he’s tied for the league lead in wins with 18. That’s not just a hot streak-it’s the kind of consistency that anchors a team’s identity.
“He’s so calm and is a student of the game,” said Providence Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel. “It just goes to show that a player like that gets better and better.
He’s a phenomenal part of our group, he’s one of our leaders, and as good as he is in the net, he’s an even better person. We know how valuable he is to our team.”
That leadership and poise haven’t gone unnoticed. DiPietro will represent Providence at the upcoming AHL All-Star Classic, joining playing captain Patrick Brown, defenseman Frederic Brunet, and coach Mougenel at the February 10-11 event in Rockford, Illinois.
For DiPietro, this isn’t just a personal accolade-it’s a reflection of the work he’s put in and the impact he’s had on a Providence squad that’s been surging behind his stellar play. If January was any indication, the Bruins have a serious difference-maker between the pipes-and the rest of the league is starting to take notice.