DiPenta brings Cup rings to Syracuse

The Syracuse Crunch announced today that they have signed defenseman Joe DiPenta to an American Hockey League contract.

DiPenta appeared in 65 AHL games with Portland last season, collecting nine points (2g, 7a) and 83 penalty minutes. DiPenta has skated in 434 combined AHL games with Philadelphia, Chicago, Manitoba and Portland since the 2000-01 season, registering 60 points (11g, 49a) and 494 penalty minutes adn winning a Calder Cup with the Wolves in 2002.

In addition, DiPenta has appeared in 174 NHL games during his career with Anaheim and Atlanta, posting 23 points (6g, 17a) and 110 penalty minutes. Out of his 174 NHL contests played, 171 came in a Ducks uniform. DiPenta spent three seasons with the Anaheim organization from 2005-08 and was a member of the club’s 2006-07 Stanley Cup-winning team.

A native of Barrie, Ont., DiPenta spent the 1999-2000 season playing junior hockey with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads. Prior to that, DiPenta played collegiately at Boston Universtiy from 1997-99, tallying 35 points (4g, 31a). He was originally selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round, 61st overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.