Isles release statement acknowledging ‘severity’ of DiPietro comments

New York Islanders GM Garth Snow has released a statement on the team website in the wake of Rick DiPietro‘s (apparently facetious) comments about contemplating suicide.

Snow’s statement:

“We are aware of Rick’s comments today and the severity of them. We will handle them internally as we do with all player matters.

“This is an opportunity for Rick to play lots of games in Bridgeport.”

Earlier today, News 12 Long Island anchor Kevin Maher released a series of tweets relating to an interview he conducted with DiPietro, in which the Isles goalie said “it felt like “they ripped my heart out, stabbed it, set it on fire and flushed it down the toilet,” when he was put on waivers.

More disturbingly, DiPietro also reportedly said his much publicized, and oft ridiculed, struggles with injuries — along with losing, and all the hatred from fans — made him consider taking his own life.

Later, DiPietro told the New York Post’s Brett Cyrgalis he was being “100 percent” facetious about committing suicide.

It should be noted he’s made light of his situation in this way before.

Last April, he told the New York Times: “There were times I was driving over the Throgs Neck Bridge and I thought I’d veer right and end it. It’s tough times. This is a tough business.

“Physically, it’s hard, but mentally, it’s incredible. I always say you’ve got to laugh to keep from crying, because there are those days when you sit in the stands, and your teammates are like a family.”