Most NHL players never forget their debut games. Michael DiPietro will probably be in that camp, as much as he’d rather not be.

The Canucks rookie was forced to start against the San Jose Sharks on February 11, due to injuries suffered by Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko as well as a lack of organizational goaltending depth.

It was embarrassing for the franchise to have to literally feed DiPietro, who had faced OHL competition the entire season, to the Sharks. Needless to say it didn’t end well: the Canucks lost 7-2, with DiPietro in the pipes for every tally against.

So it is that the Canucks are investing in some much-needed goaltending depth with the signing of Jake Kielly to a two-year, two-way entry-level deal.

Kielly, 22, was one of the better ‘tenders in the NCAA this season, to the tune of a 26-11-2 record and a .929 save percentage for the Clarkson Golden Knights.

Veterans Marek Mazanec and Michael Leighton are both free agents in the summer and aren’t likely to be back. So, unless DiPietro is ready to take the reigns at the AHL level, it’ll likely be the 6'2 Kielly and journeyman Richard Bachman tending the twine for the Utica Comets.

Kielly was at the Buffalo Sabres’ prospect camp last year and was rumoured to be coveted by a few other NHL clubs.

The coolest thing about the netminder? He was an alternate captain for Clarkson last season. Strange (and awesome) to see a 'tender with a letter on his chest. 

Follow @ncaddell on Twitter