Islanders G DiPietro plays for 1st time in nearly a year, makes AHL rehab appearance

Isles G DiPietro makes rehab start in AHL

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro is back in action for the first time in nearly a year.

The oft-injured DiPietro began a two-week conditioning assignment with Bridgeport of the AHL on Saturday night and allowed three goals on 13 shots against Springfield.

With Islanders owner Charles Wang and general manager Garth Snow watching the team’s franchise goalie from a suite, DiPietro played two periods for the Sound Tigers. He faced 10 shots in the second period.

In the past two years, the 28-year-old DiPietro had surgery on both hips and both knees. He last played an NHL game on Jan. 2 and made only five appearances with the Islanders last season.

DiPietro is in the fourth season of a landmark 15-year contract with New York.