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Goalie Rick DiPietro signs PTO with AHL Charlotte Checkers

New York Islanders v Boston Bruins

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: Rick DiPietro #39 of the New York Islanders takes a drink from his Gatorade bottle while standing in goal against the Boston Bruins during the game on January 25, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Jared Wickerham

Rick DiPietro once signed a 15-year, $67.5 million contract with the New York Islanders. That deal, signed in the wake of the second lockout, began in the 2006-07 season.

On Saturday, it was reported that the American goaltender has now signed a professional tryout with the Charlotte Checkers, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes.

As per Chip Alexander of the News & Observer, Dipietro will join the Checkers tonight.

“It’s a safety net and could give us more depth. At this point it’s a PTO. We’ll see what kind of shape he’s in, how he plays,” Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told the News & Observer.

Dipietro, formerly a first overall pick in the 2000 NHL Draft, played only three games for the Islanders last season.

He was dispatched to Bridgeport in the AHL, but his numbers down there were less than impressive. He posted a 9-9-0-1 record, with an .893 save percentage and 2.93 goals-against average.

The Islanders announced in July that they had used one of their compliance buyouts on DiPietro.

The Hurricanes find themselves in a tough spot with regards to their goaltending situation.

Earlier this week, the Hurricanes confirmed that Cam Ward will miss three-to-four weeks with what appeared to be a lower-body injury.

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