Windsor Spitfire Michael DiPietro invited to World Junior Selection Camp
Goaltender Michael DiPietro is among one of three goalies and thirty-four total players invited to Hockey Canada’s selection camp for the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship later this month in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.
A late cut from last year’s World Junior entry, DiPietro says he’s headed to camp motivated.
“I’m approaching this one as another opportunity,” DiPietro said. “A chance to show that I do deserve a spot on this team and that everything that happened last year, I used as a positive.”
“My motivation is not ‘redemption”. It’s another opportunity to wear the Team Canada logo on the world stage.”
DiPietro says he was excited to see former teammate Gabriel Vilardi’s name on the list of invites. Hampered by injuries over parts of the last two seasons, Vilardi is healthy and will be on loan to Team Canada from the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League.
“We all know how great a league the OHL is. I’ve got a lot of friends that got invited. To see Gabe’s name there was very exciting for me. I hope we all have a chance to play together in search of a gold medal.”
Michael DiPietro
Mikey says he feels no added pressure to perform with the tournament being held in Vancouver and Victoria. The Canucks selected the Amherstburg native in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
“(Laughs) I’m pretty sure a lot of people are going to try to make something of that. But it’s not even on my mind. Making the team first and winning gold are the only things I’m focused on.”
Hockey Canada’s selection camp opens on December 11th in Victoria, B.C., with the final roster expected to be named by December 14th.
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