Vinni Lettieri (born February 6, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey center currently under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He plays for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). Lettieri began his professional career in 2017 after playing four seasons at the University of Minnesota. He has appeared in NHL games with the New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and Minnesota Wild. Lettieri comes from a family with a rich hockey background that spans multiple generations in Minnesota sports.
Vinni Lettieri Bio
Vinni Lettieri was born on February 6, 1995, in Excelsior, Minnesota. He grew up immersed in hockey culture through his family connections to the sport. His grandfather, Lou Nanne, played, coached, and served as general manager of the Minnesota North Stars. This family legacy provided Lettieri with early exposure to professional hockey and valuable mentorship as he developed his own career path in the sport.
Early Life and Background
Lettieri grew up in Minnesota with deep roots in the state hockey community. His family environment fostered a passion for athletics from an early age. His father, Tino Lettieri, played professional soccer, while uncle Marty Nanne played in the International Hockey League. Lettieri showed promise as a hockey player during his youth in Minnesota, developing the skills that would carry him into junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Lettieri played two seasons with the Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League (USHL), a top junior league that serves as a development pathway for college-bound players. His performance with the Lincoln Stars attracted attention from major college programs. Lettieri ultimately committed to play for the University of Minnesota, joining the Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey program. He played four seasons with the Golden Gophers from 2013 to 2017, helping the team win the Big Ten regular season championship in all four consecutive years. This sustained success at the collegiate level established Lettieri as a promising professional prospect.
Vinni Lettieri Career
New York Rangers (2017-2020)
On March 27, 2017, Lettieri signed a two-year entry-level contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers. He attended Rangers training camp before the 2017-18 season but was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL to start the year. Lettieri received his first NHL call-up and made his NHL debut on December 29, 2017, in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. He scored his first NHL goal in that debut game during a 3-2 loss. Lettieri appeared in 19 NHL games during his rookie season while also playing regularly for Hartford. The 2018-19 season saw Lettieri continue to rotate between the NHL and AHL, getting recalled for longer stints in the second half of the season. He scored his first career NHL goal at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2019, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Anaheim Ducks (2020-2022)
After four seasons within the Rangers organization, Lettieri left as an unrestricted free agent. On October 10, 2020, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He earned a regular spot in the Ducks lineup during the 2020-21 season. On July 13, 2021, Lettieri signed a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Anaheim. He continued to serve as a depth forward for the Ducks, appearing in multiple NHL games during the season.
Boston Bruins (2022-2023, 2025)
Lettieri signed with the Boston Bruins on July 13, 2022. While playing for Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate, Lettieri earned AHL All-Star recognition representing the Atlantic Division. He was called up to the NHL squad on January 26, 2023, but suffered an injury the following day and was placed on injured reserve. Once healthy, he cleared waivers and remained with the AHL team. Late in the 2022-23 season, with the Bruins secured in the standings, Lettieri received another NHL recall and played one game before being returned to Providence.
Minnesota Wild (2023-2024)
As a free agent from the Bruins, Lettieri returned to his home state by signing a two-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2023. He did not make the Wild’s opening night roster to start the 2023-24 season but was called up on October 23, 2023, and played his first game in a Wild uniform the following night. Lettieri scored his first goal as a member of the Wild on November 7, 2023, in a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders. That goal was also his first at the NHL level since January 26, 2022. He scored another goal and an assist before being sent back to the AHL, then earned another recall and spent most of the remainder of the season with Minnesota. Lettieri finished the 2023-24 season with five goals and four assists in 46 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2025-Present)
On June 29, 2024, Lettieri was traded back to the Boston Bruins alongside a draft pick in exchange for Jakub Lauko. He spent the first half of the 2024-25 season with Providence, serving as alternate captain. Lettieri had an impressive AHL season with 14 goals and 21 assists by mid-January 2025. He was recalled to the NHL on January 13, 2025, and scored his first goal as a Bruin a few days later in a shootout against the Ottawa Senators. Lettieri scored one more goal in eight games before being returned to Providence. After the NHL trade deadline, he was recalled again and finished the season with Boston. On March 30, 2025, he was placed on waivers, went unclaimed, and remained with the Bruins for the rest of the season. Leaving Boston as a free agent, Lettieri signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 2, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Lettieri plays the center position and shoots right. He has established himself as a reliable depth forward throughout his career. His ability to contribute offensively while playing a responsible two-way game has allowed him to maintain a steady professional career despite not being a high-profile draft pick. His versatility enables him to slide between NHL and AHL rosters as organizational needs arise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lettieri’s most significant career milestone came with his NHL debut and first goal, both achieved in the same game against the Detroit Red Wings on December 29, 2017. Scoring in his debut provided momentum that carried him through his rookie season. His return to Minnesota to play for the Wild in 2023 held personal significance given his roots in the state. His AHL All-Star selection with Providence Bruins represented recognition of his strong play at the minor-league level.
Vinni Lettieri Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career, Lettieri has balanced time between the NHL and AHL, contributing as a depth forward at the highest level while dominating at the minor-league level. His collegiate career stands out as a major achievement, with four straight Big Ten regular season titles at Minnesota.
NHL Highlights
Lettieri made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers on December 29, 2017, scoring his first goal in that same game. His most productive NHL season came with the Minnesota Wild in 2023-24, when he recorded five goals and four assists in 46 games. He has appeared in over 100 NHL games across six seasons with four different organizations.
AHL and Collegiate Achievements
At the minor-league level, Lettieri has been a consistent performer. His strong play with Providence Bruins earned him AHL All-Star honors during the 2022-23 season. In the 2024-25 season, he recorded a career-high 29 assists with Providence while tying for the team lead in goals with 21. At the University of Minnesota, he was part of four consecutive Big Ten regular season championship teams from 2013 to 2017.
Vinni Lettieri Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Lettieri comes from a family with deep connections to Minnesota hockey. His grandfather, Lou Nanne, had an extensive career in professional hockey as a player, coach, and general manager of the Minnesota North Stars. His uncle, Marty Nanne, was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1986 and played in the International Hockey League. Lettieri’s cousins Tyler Nanne and Louis Nanne also pursued professional hockey careers, with Tyler being drafted by the New York Rangers in 2014 and Louis by the Minnesota Wild in 2012. This multi-generational involvement in hockey has provided Lettieri with unique insights and connections throughout his career.
Personal Life
Lettieri continues to maintain connections to his Minnesota roots despite his professional travels. His father’s background in professional soccer provided additional athletic influence in his upbringing. The Lettieri and Nanne families remain active figures in Minnesota hockey circles, supporting the development of young players in the state.
2024-25 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season marked a significant year for Lettieri with the Boston Bruins organization. He began the season with Providence Bruins in the AHL, where he served as alternate captain and emerged as a key offensive contributor. Between December 7 and December 15, 2024, he recorded nine assists in five games, demonstrating strong playmaking ability. By mid-January 2025, he had accumulated 14 goals and 21 assists with Providence. Lettieri received his first NHL recall of the season on January 13, 2025, and quickly made an impact, scoring his first goal as a Bruin in a shootout against the Ottawa Senators. He appeared in additional NHL games before being returned to the AHL. Following the trade deadline, with Boston turning its focus toward the future, Lettieri was recalled again and spent the remainder of the season at the NHL level. He finished the season with Providence recording career-high assists with 29 while tying for the team lead in goals with 21. In the AHL playoffs, Lettieri led Providence with seven points during their run, including a dramatic two-goal performance in a closeout Game 5 that nearly completed a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. His strong season earned him a new opportunity with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2025-26 season.