Rick DiPietro

The New York Islanders announced today that goaltender Rick DiPietro will have surgery performed on his right hip by noted specialist Dr. Marc Philippon this afternoon at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. The 26-year old goaltender will be sidelined for the remainder of this season, but is expected to make a full recovery in time to join the Islanders at training camp in preparation for the 2008-09 season. After the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs, DiPietro's left hip was surgically repaired by Dr. Philippon and the goaltender made a complete recovery.

"Rick wanted badly to be with his team until the end of the season, but this decision was made with his best long-term interests in mind," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "Rick took his game to even greater heights this season, deservedly being named a National Hockey League All-Star for the first time in his career. He gave everything he had to the Islanders and our fans this season and was a warrior all the way through. By having the surgery immediately, Rick will have plenty of time to be at 100% long before the start of Islanders training camp in September."