Quite an honour for Windsor Spitfires goaltender Michael DiPietro.
The 18-year-old native of Amherstburg has been presented Thursday with the first ever key to the town by Mayor Aldo DiCarlo.
“Michael is deserving of our recognition and Amherstburg residents take great pride in his accomplishments,” says DiCarlo.
Traced back to medieval times, when entry into the Town was restricted by walls and locked gates, this ceremonial key symbolizes the freedom to come and go at will.
"Being from Amherstburg and to be able to get the first key ever handed out by the mayor to the town, is something that I hold dear to me,” says DiPietro. “I will cherish it, very humbled by it."
"Michael's continued hard work and dedication to his sport has notably allowed him to reach his goals, will continue to propel him forward, and will undoubtedly have a positive influence, as an exemplary role model, on the youth of our community," says Mayor DiCarlo. "No matter where Mike's career takes him, he will always be welcome in Amherstburg, his hometown.”
DiPietro’s hockey career began at the age of 6 when he played with the Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association.
The goaltender also won a gold medal with Team Ontario at the Winter Games while representing Canada at international tournaments.
DiPietro most recently backstopped the Spitfires to the 2017 Memorial Cup championship in May, and was drafted by the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks in June.
