The Pensacola Ice Flyers re-signed goaltender Rico DiMatteo for the 2026-27 season after he posted a 10-4-0 record in 16 games during his professional debut with the team. DiMatteo also recorded a 2.84 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage during the 2025-26 season. His return gives Pensacola an experienced goaltender who also played at the ECHL level last season.
DiMatteo was named SPHL Player of the Week following the opening weekend. He stopped 33 shots in regulation and overtime before turning aside all six shooters in a shootout victory over Macon. The performance helped establish his impact early in his first professional season.
DiMatteo gained ECHL experience
DiMatteo was loaned to the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush on Dec. 26, 2025. He made 12 appearances with Rapid City and recorded a 3.96 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. In his professional debut with the Rush, he stopped 55 of 57 shots.
Before turning professional, DiMatteo played NCAA Division I hockey at Northern Michigan University, Long Island University and the University of New Hampshire. During his senior season at New Hampshire, he appeared in eight games and posted a 2.53 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. He also earned two Hockey East Goaltender of the Week honors.
Gates welcomes DiMatteo back to Pensacola
Pensacola Head Coach Jeremy Gates said DiMatteo brings talent, competitiveness and valuable experience back to the Ice Flyers. “We’re thrilled to have Rico back in Pensacola,” Gates said. “Rico is a very talented goalie who has valuable experience and is the type of person looking continue to grow his game. We’ve seen his ability firsthand last season. He brings competitiveness, and is an important part of our team as a goalie and person. I look forward to hearing his name announced at The Hangar in front of our great fans.”
DiMatteo described his approach as calm, patient and athletic while setting a goal for the upcoming season. “I’m calm, patient, and athletic,” DiMatteo said. “My goal this season is to be the top goaltender in the SPHL.”
The 2026-27 season will be DiMatteo’s second professional season and his second campaign with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. He returns to Pensacola after gaining experience in both the SPHL and ECHL during his first professional year.
FSB Take
DiMatteo’s return gives the Pensacola Ice Flyers a goaltender who already produced a 10-4-0 record and a .915 save percentage for the team. His ECHL experience with the Rapid City Rush adds to his professional background, while his opening-weekend performance showed his ability to make an immediate impact in SPHL play. His stated goal of becoming the SPHL’s top goaltender sets a clear standard for his second season with Pensacola.
Source: Original report