By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Last season in the American Hockey League, goaltender Michael DiPietro had a phenomenal season by winning the 2025 Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s top goaltender with the Providence Bruins. DiPietro was the first Providence goaltender to win the award since Niklas Svedberg did back in the 2012-13 AHL season. Heading into this season, there may have been some uncertainty about whether DiPietro can duplicate his “Baz” Bastien award from last season at 26 years old.
With one week remaining in March, Providence has a three-point cushion to lead the AHL with 95 points overall, and DiPietro has been a key reason why all season. As of this morning, while playing in 38 games this season, DiPietro leads the AHL in three key goaltending categories: 29 wins, 1.92 GAA, and a .931 save percentage. DiPietro has also recorded two shutouts this season.
Last season, DiPietro had his best AHL season by winning 26 games to go along with a 2.05 GAA and .927 save percentage in 40 games played. The fact that DiPietro has three more wins, a better GAA, and a higher save percentage, while playing in two fewer games this season than last, shows the tremendous improvement he has made in just one season. While this stat isn’t as important for a goaltender as the other three stats are, DiPietro’s three assists this season are tied for the most among all AHL goaltenders, so that adds more specialty to his already incredible season. DiPietro sure has turned into Providence’s backbone with his play this season.
DiPietro started this season off strong when he won his first seven starts. DiPietro has lost two consecutive starts just twice this season, and the last time was back in December. Going over three months now without losing two consecutive starts is impressive. In 19 of his 38 games played this season, DiPietro made at least 25 saves in the game.
When comparing DiPietro to other AHL goaltenders, he sticks out above the rest. No other AHL goaltender besides DiPietro has at least 25 wins. Grand Rapids Griffins goaltender Sebastian Cossa has the second-most wins in the AHL with 24, and also the second-best GAA throughout the league with a 2.17. However, Cossa has played in four fewer games than DiPietro.
Henderson Silver Knights goaltender Carl Lindbom’s .922 save percentage is the second-best save percentage in the AHL, but he’s played in 11 fewer games than DiPietro. DiPietro’s games played this season are tied for the fourth-most among AHL goaltenders, with three other goaltenders having played over 40 games. DiPietro, having the stats he has while not playing in 40 games, makes it even more impressive.
DiPietro sure has reason to win his second consecutive “Baz” Bastien Award in 2026. DiPietro can be the first AHL goaltender to win two consecutive “Baz” Bastien Awards since Dustin Wolf did in 2022 and 2023. One thing is for certain to help DiPietro have reason to win the award again: his numbers and play speak highly to the success that he and Providence are each having this season.
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