Why patience and passion paid off for Leafs call-up Vinni Lettieri

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Vinni Lettieri wanted to make an impact in the Toronto hockey market when he signed – and hey, the man did play deep into June and win a championship trophy. 

But until Monday night, the 31-year-old Marlies’ sniper had not played a real game for the Maple Leafs in more than a year of service. Lettieri, somehow overlooked in last season’s influx from the farm as the parent team fell from grace, never rocked the boat or lost sight of returning to the top level. 

How did Lettieri deal with a full year in the minors?

“You want to be up here, but you were very happy for the guys that were,” Lettieri insisted of forwards Bo Groulx, Luke Haymes, Jacob Quillan, Ryan Tverberg and Michael Pezzetta. “They were all deserving of the call-ups and you don’t sit back and sulk. A lot of guys want to be called up, too.” 

In the summer of 2025, the free agent picked the Leafs as he explored the next level on 155 NHL games with four other teams, most recently with the Boston Bruins. He wanted to play in a city that “lived and breathed hockey.” 

That turned into 42 points in 55 AHL games, but it was the playoffs where Lettieri became one of many veterans steering the ship, with 26 points in 23 games, usually on a line with Groulx and Alex Nylander.   

“It was awesome,” Lettieri said. “Usually as a kid, you dream of winning the Stanley Cup and I was fortunate to win the Calder. I can’t really put into words how special it was, especially with the group we had. Everyone had their role, everyone a team guy. It’s not the Calder Cup you remember, it’s the guys you made the memories with.” 

What are his family sports connections?

Lettieri’s celebration day included chowing down on a Lou’s double stacked cheeseburger at Tavern 23 in Edina,. Minn. That’s a hockey-themed restaurant with ties to his grandfather, North Stars legend Lou Nanne. 

“He had a big hockey image and I learned a lot from him,” Lettieri told the Sun in a previous interview. 

But Vinni is most grateful to his father for passing down athleticism and life lessons, as the goalie for Canada’s first World Cup soccer entry in 1986. Tino, born in Bari, Italy, who married Nanne’s daughter, was a huge part of the underdog Canadians who got past the United States and defeated Honduras to make the ‘86 global event in Mexico. Tino became famous for keeping a stuffed parrot mascot in the back of his net. 

“It was pretty admirable to see his success,” Vinni said. “He was small (5-foot-8) as a goalie. That just shows you how hard he worked and that’s what he did for me.  

“He has had a pizza-calzone booth at the Minnesota State Fair for 38 years and people still come up to ask him about the World Cup and playing in the Metrodome for the Minnesota Kicks (of the North American Soccer League).” 

What are Jim Hiller’s thoughts on Lettieri?

With John Chayka and Jim Hiller now running the Leafs, Vinni re-signed on a modest one-year deal, a slight bump to $850,000 US. He had to swallow his pride again in last month’s training camp when new coach Hiller quickly separated the main roster from the AHLers and dropped Lettieri into the latter. 

“What really impressed me was being on the ice with the second group and he was just working,” Hiller said. “I’m sure he wanted to be with the big group and have a fairer chance in making the team. But he had a terrific attitude and skill.” 

Lettieri started this season with nine points in five games with the Marlies, giving him a total of 77 in 83 appearances, which helped his cause, as did the promotion of Marlies coach John Gruden to Hiller’s staff.  

Hiller’s team can’t always rely on Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Kirill Marchenko and Jack Roslovic to carry the mail offensively. There have to be others chipping in, and in practice at least, fourth liners Zack McEwan, Teddy Blueger, and Brandon Duhaime can fire the puck, while Lettieri’s arrival should mean more chances for the bottom six. 

“I thought our fourth line had its best game of the season against the Islanders (Saturday’s 4-1 loss) and were maybe our most effective line,” Hiller said. “We need that game night after night. They gave us the identity we were looking for. We have to build on that, take our cue from them a bit, play a little greasier.” 

Lhornby@postmedia.com 

X: @sunhornby 

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