After Sunday afternoon’s Moose win in Des Moines, Iowa, Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis was told the biggest news of his career to date and something he had dreamed of his entire life: he was going to the NHL.
DiVincentiis flew back to Winnipeg that night, but not before making some important calls.
“I got goosebumps, I immediately called my parents and grandparents to share the news with them and just to be able to share that with them was pretty surreal.”
DiVincentiis is set to become the fourth player from the Jets’ 2022 draft class to make an NHL debut, following Brad Lambert, Rutger McGroarty and Elias Salomonsson (the latter of whom debuted earlier this season).
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
He’s also the second Winnipeg goalie prospect to debut this season after his Manitoba Moose goalie partner, Thomas Milic, got to start one game and play in a total of three NHL games.
“We actually got to watch him, on our phones, actually for the Carolina game, we were at home so a few of us got together.”
Just like Milic and Salomonsson before him, his family was thrilled to hear about his promotion. His father left for Winnipeg the day after learning of his call-up. When asked to reflect on his journey, DiVincentiis took the time to acknowledge his family.
“Just all the sacrifice, my parents, grandparents and all my family helped me tremendously. The money and all they’ve done so just to share this with them.”
Road to the NHL
DiVincentiis grew up in Bolton, Ontario. He started playing hockey as a skater, but one day became transfixed by a goalie session taking place as he was leaving his local rink. He asked his father what a goalie was, and he stayed to watch the entire session. He thereafter asked his grandmother to buy him goalie equipment but she told him he’d needed to become a street hockey goalie first.
DiVincentiis put on the street hockey goalie gear and only took it off when his family bought him ice hockey gear.
He excelled in his love of goaltending and eventually found himself in the OHL playing for the North Bay Battalion. In his first year, 2021–2022, he put up solid numbers, above a .900 save percentage and a record of 14-8-1 in tandem with Joe Vrbetic.
DiVincentiis said the move from Bolton to North Bay — just over three hours away — was difficult, but a big factor in making it easier was his billet family, the Carellos, who welcomed him into their home as if he were their own.
The family had been lifelong Battalion fans since the team moved from Brampton. DiVincentiis said they were instrumental in supporting him in junior hockey and that he also enjoyed being a big brother to the Carellos’ two little girls, Ruby and Sloan.
“They (the girls) have a lot of stuffed animals, and they love to bury me in them and jump on me with them,” he said with a smile.
His impressive play in North Bay put him on the Winnipeg Jets’ radar, who took a chance on the young netminder, drafting him 207th overall in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He had brought his parents, his sister, and his grandparents to Montreal.
“I’m still in shock, I can’t believe what just happened.”
In his second year, he dominated the crease, capturing a 36-9-2 record. Along the way, he had five shutouts and won the Jim Rutherford Trophy as the OHL’s top goaltender. The award had previously been won by Jordan Binnington, Rick Tabaracci, Mackenzie Blackwood, and former Winnipeg Jet Steve Mason.
“To share this recognition with some of the best goaltenders in our league’s history is extremely exciting. This award, in my opinion, is a recognition and acknowledgment to the incredible support and encouragement I have received from my teammates, coaches, support staff and fans with the North Bay Battalion.”
Turning Pro
DiVincentiis signed his first pro contract with the Jets in the 2023 offseason. He returned to North Bay for one final year afterward. While his numbers weren’t as impactful, he still came away with a 27-9-4 record.
DiVincentiis split his first pro season in 2024–2025 with the Norfolk Admirals and Manitoba Moose. While playing in a tandem role with fellow Jets prospect Milic, he notched a strong 15-5-0 record. His time in the AHL was a rare bright spot on a struggling Moose team that finished second-last in the league. Despite that, he held a strong .906 save percentage and captured over half of the Moose’s wins in only 28 games.
This year, DiVincentiis spent time in the Prospect Showcase and the NHL preseason and mentioned how he felt he improved — and not just in physical skills.
“Obviously the confidence is there. I think it takes confidence. At the same time nothing is given in pro hockey. You have to earn everything and I’m still here in my second year fighting for the net.”
DiVincentiis went on to say that sports are built on competition, even in practice, and that while he’ll always be a team player, he prides himself on being competitive with his goalie partners. He posted a 5-6-0 record with the Moose while showing off an impressive .915 save percentage.
After Connor Hellebuyck had a minor Arthroscopic knee procedure, it opened the opportunity for all netminders in the organization. Eric Comrie moved into the starting role, and Milic was called up from the AHL. Eighteen days later, Comrie is 2-5-1, Milic is 0-1-0, and the Jets, looking for a Hellebuyck-less winning formula, decided to call up DiVincentiis.
Arniel says this was the plan: to bring Milic and DiVincentiis into the fold in Hellebuyck’s absence and introduce them to the Jets’ systems. He wanted them to get into practices, work with goalie coach Wade Flaherty, wanted them to see the Jets shooters, and to be around the group.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
For DiVincentiis, the past few years have been a steady climb built on patience, competition and belief. Now, with an NHL crease suddenly within arm’s length, he stands on the edge of the next step — the one he has imagined for as long as he can remember.
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