CBC-Sports

Rick DiPietro's comeback a lesson in perseverance

January 21, 2010 12:01 PM | Posted by   Kevin Weekes  

So, you’re the poster child and best goalie prospect to ever come out of the infamous Boston University hockey program.

You play for your country in the world junior tournament, become the first pick overall (as a goaltender no less) in the NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders and on draft day they trade both Roberto Luongo and yours truly. You get fast tracked to the league and play roughly 100 games in the minors. You represent your country in world championships and your father is a Vietnam veteran who served your country.

You become the franchise player for the Islanders, evolve into an NHL all-star, sign 'the contract' then boom - the dreaded injury bug puts your career in complete uncertainty.

Welcome to Rick DiPietro's world.

Being fresh off the ice, I have relationships in every locker-room in the league. One of the things I try to speak from as a rookie broadcaster (I don't buy the vets doughnuts but I do pay for some meals and cold refreshments) is my playing experience. I feel this can help put the reality of being an NHL player into context for our readers and viewers.

A workhorse work ethic

You'd think the path of Rick DiPietro would breed entitlement, complacency and maybe a woe-is-me self-pity party, but knowing him the way I do, it's actually quite the opposite.

When you're blessed with unique talent and ability, athleticism and charisma, his accomplishments should come as no surprise. And throw in a 15-year contract and you should be on top of the world.

I can honestly say, next to Arturs Irbe (still love you sewing your gear by hand during the intermissions Arch!), Rick DiPietro is the hardest working goalie that I've played with or against on and off the ice hands down.

Our common link is the New York Islanders’ goaltending consultant and my personal goalie coach, Sudsie Maharaj.

During the summer is when pro athletes enjoy family and friends, but for the players who are serious, the next season starts in the off-season.

DiPietro started coming to Toronto to skate with Sudsie and I during long weekends, etc., and after our gruelling ice sessions, I'd go to workout and Sudsie would set Rick up with a local gym here in Toronto so he wouldn't miss a beat.

Getting back in the game

He's always been a gym and rink rat. With his dedication to weight work, cardio, core training, stretching, yoga and mental training, it makes little or no sense as to why he's had multiple hip and knee surgeries at such a young age.

Rick recently returned to the crease after a year off from the NHL with two huge victories - one by shootout against the Sabres and the other by shutout against the Devils. How did his return to the ice come to be? I asked Sudsie.

KW: Suds, how the heck did this happen? Please give me some details.

SM: Well Kev, we basically had to start over, right from ground zero. We had to rebuild.

KW: Seriously?

SM: Absolutely! The medical staff was very detailed about his off-ice rehab, which I can't describe, but they combined that with specific timelines and protocols for his on-ice rehab as well.

KW: Sounds complicated.

SM: Yes, but very basic as well. We started with him skating without the gear, just casually. From there, we did the same thing with a bit more effort. He was doing basic goalie skating like T-Pushes in his crease, then we got to the point of him skating in all his gear.

KW: So was he frustrated?

SM: At times. He loves to work and wants to push, but orders are orders and I reminded him to think of the big picture.

KW: What next?

SM: We then worked our way up to controlled shooting and we basically gave him a 'pitch count' where he was able to go down and butterfly “X” amount of times and not a shot more. I have a biomechanics background and this really helped because I would only let him do edge work on his knees in straight lateral lines, gradually increasing the angle five degrees or so over time. When we finally got him into live practices he was so happy, even though we had a still had a pitch count on him, just with a higher number.

KW: Wow Suds, you guys have done an incredible job with him!

SW: I've worked with him to become an everyday NHL goalie, then to become a number 1, then an all-star, but this may be the toughest, but most rewarding work I've done with him yet.

Rehabilitating from an injury is a lonely road and a lot of work, but to rehab from multiple injuries, start from scratch, work to regain your form to be able play in the NHL again isn't about ‘the contract’, the accolades or driving the vehicle of your choice.

Rather, it's being driven by determination and perseverance to overcome obstacles. That's what makes all of us human.

" Previous Post | Main
  •