Vinni Lettieri Bio
Vinni Lettieri (born February 6, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey center who currently plays for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 194 pounds, he has skated in professional North American leagues since 2017. He comes from a family with a rich hockey background that shaped his path to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Vinni Lettieri was born on February 6, 1995, in Excelsior, Minnesota, in the United States. Growing up in Minnesota, a state long considered the heartland of American hockey, he was surrounded by the sport from an early age. The cold winters and countless frozen rinks of the region gave him a natural stage to develop his skills.
His family carried a deep athletic heritage. His grandfather, Lou Nanne, played, coached and served as the general manager of the Minnesota North Stars, giving young Vinni a direct connection to the highest levels of professional hockey. His father, Tino, played professional soccer, while his uncle Marty Nanne was drafted 161st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play three seasons in the International Hockey League.
The hockey tradition extended to his generation as well. His cousins Tyler Nanne and Louis Nanne were both drafted into the NHL, by the New York Rangers in 2014 and the Minnesota Wild in 2012, respectively. Surrounded by this lineage, Lettieri developed his game on local rinks before moving into junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Lettieri began his competitive path with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he played for two seasons. The USHL is one of the top development leagues for young American players aiming to reach the college and professional ranks, and his time there prepared him for the next step in his career.
After his stint with the Lincoln Stars, Lettieri committed to the University of Minnesota and played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers for four seasons. During his time in college, he helped the Golden Gophers win the Big Ten regular season title in four straight seasons, establishing himself as a reliable contributor at a high level of amateur hockey.
Following his college career, Lettieri signed a two-year entry-level contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers on March 27, 2017. The deal marked his official transition to professional hockey and set the stage for a career that would take him across several NHL organizations.
Vinni Lettieri Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
After signing with the New York Rangers, Lettieri attended the Rangers training camp before the 2017–18 season but was cut and assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL before the final roster was set. On December 29, 2017, he made his NHL debut in a 3–2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings and scored his first NHL goal in that same game. He appeared in 19 NHL games during his rookie season, bouncing between the NHL and AHL throughout the year.
In the 2018–19 season, Lettieri continued to rotate between the NHL and AHL, earning longer call-ups during the second half of the year. He finished the season with one goal and two assists, including a memorable one-timer against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 25, 2019, for his first career goal at Madison Square Garden.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2020–2022)
After four seasons within the Rangers organization, Lettieri left as a free agent and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks on October 10, 2020. He later signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Ducks on July 13, 2021, continuing his role as a depth forward who could contribute at both the NHL and AHL levels.
Boston Bruins Era (2022–2023)
On July 13, 2022, Lettieri signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. After impressive play for the Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, he was named an AHL All-Star, representing the Atlantic Division. He was called up to the NHL squad on January 26, 2023, but suffered an injury the next day that placed him on injured reserve. Once healed, he was placed on waivers without playing an NHL game for the Bruins and cleared. Later in the 2022–23 season, with the Bruins comfortable in the standings, Lettieri was called up again to provide rest for key players and played one game before being sent back down.
Minnesota Wild Era (2023–2024)
As a free agent from the Bruins, Lettieri returned to his home state by agreeing to 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 begin the 2023–24 season but was called up shortly thereafter on October 23, 2023, and played his first game in a Wild uniform the next night. He scored his first goal and point as a member of the Wild on November 7, 2023, in a 4–2 win over the New York Islanders, his first NHL goal since January 26, 2022, when he was still a member of the Ducks. He finished the season with five goals and four assists in 46 games, serving as a reliable depth forward for a middling Wild team.
Return to Boston Bruins Era (2024–2025)
On June 29, 2024, on the second day of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Lettieri was traded back to the Bruins alongside the 110th pick in the draft in exchange for Jakub Lauko and the 122nd pick. He spent the first half of the season with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, serving as alternate captain during his second stint with the team. Between December 7 and December 15, 2024, he scored nine assists in five games, and by the time of his first call-up to the NHL club on January 13, 2025, he had recorded 14 goals and 21 assists in the AHL. He scored his first goal as a Bruin a few days later in a 6–5 shootout against the Ottawa Senators. After the NHL trade deadline, Lettieri was called up again and remained with the NHL squad for the rest of the season, finishing with three goals and two assists for five points between his two stints with the club.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2025–Present)
Leaving the Bruins at the conclusion of his contract, Lettieri signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2025–26 season on July 2, 2025. He is expected to split time between the Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, as he continues his role as a dependable depth forward with offensive upside at the minor league level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Lettieri’s signature moments is his NHL debut on December 29, 2017, against the Detroit Red Wings, in which he scored his first NHL goal. He also earned AHL All-Star honors during the 2022–23 season while playing for the Providence Bruins, representing the Atlantic Division. His nine assists in five games between December 7 and December 15, 2024, marked one of the most productive stretches of his professional career.
Vinni Lettieri Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Vinni Lettieri comes from one of the most hockey-rooted families in Minnesota. His grandfather, Lou Nanne, played, coached and served as the general manager of the Minnesota North Stars, making him one of the most influential figures in the franchise’s history. His uncle Marty Nanne was drafted 161st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft and played three seasons in the International Hockey League.
Personal Life
His cousins Tyler Nanne and Louis Nanne both pursued professional hockey careers of their own, with Tyler drafted 142nd overall by the New York Rangers in 2014 and Louis drafted 188th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2012. His father, Tino, played professional soccer, adding an athletic dimension to the family that extended beyond the ice.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025–26 season, Lettieri joined the Toronto Maple Leafs organization on a one-year, $775,000 contract signed on July 2, 2025. His recent track record in the AHL, including a career-high 29 assists and 21 goals during the 2024–25 season with the Providence Bruins, suggested he could provide an offensive spark for the Toronto Marlies. He led the Providence Bruins in points during their 2025 playoff run with seven points, even helping force a dramatic near-comeback in a decisive Game 5 against the Charlotte Checkers.
Lettieri’s role with the Maple Leafs is expected to center on providing depth scoring and energy when called up to the NHL roster, while serving as a key contributor at the AHL level. His experience with five different NHL organizations, including the Rangers, Ducks, Bruins and Wild, gives him a versatile profile that coaches value in a bottom-six forward.
Given his consistent production in the AHL and his ability to step into NHL lineups when needed, Lettieri’s outlook for 2025–26 includes competing for limited NHL opportunities with Toronto while continuing to deliver at a high level in the minors. His hockey lineage and professional track record position him as a steady presence within the Maple Leafs system.