University of Minnesota Athletics
Around the Rink: Vinni Lettieri
12/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLI (GopherSports.com) -- After a career year as a junior in 2015-16, Minnesota forward Vinni Lettieri picked up right where he left off this year as a senior.
A native of Excelsior, Minn., Lettieri ranks second on the Gophers with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 14 games this season.
GopherSports.com recently caught up with Lettieri to talk about his family, being a Gopher and what his favorite Christmas gift was.
You're two months into your senior season, and one thing that was brought up by the coaches and your teammates was how hard you worked over the offseason and how you are benefitting from that now. Did you focus on anything different in your training for this year?
I really didn't change my training regimen at all. I've been working with Cal (Dietz) Monday through Friday every summer since I've been here. I think the one thing that was different for me this offseason was playing in Da Beauty League. Being able to surround myself with a lot of professional players and top-end college players was incredibly helpful. Those guys have so much poise, they're never in a rush, and they have so much confidence. It's easy to pick things up just by being around them. So that helped a lot and then working hard with Cal and training with our team, it all leads to more development and becoming a better hockey player.
You were named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week last week after putting up two goals and two assists including a career high three points in the win over Boston College (scoring the game-winning goal and adding two assists). When you have a big game like that, is it rewarding to know that all your hard work in the offseason is paying off?
Sure. It also helps playing with two great guys (Mike Szmatula and Brent Gates Jr.). They were making it easy for me to get those points on the board. When you're playing on a line, your success is due to what your linemates are doing just as much as your individual effort. It was a great team win though starting with a great game from Eric (Schierhorn) in net. That third period was great for our team - we need to keep that one in mind every time we need to lock up a win late in the game. If we keep playing like that, we'll be fine.
Tell us about the best Christmas present you ever received.
The best Christmas gift I ever received was a little motorcycle - I think they're called pocket bikes. My cousins and I all got them one year. I used to ride that little thing around the neighborhood all the time. Now I have a moped, which is kind of funny. But that was definitely the best Christmas present I ever was given.
You have a lot of relatives that went to the University of Minnesota including your grandfather, Lou Nanne, and your uncle, Marty Nanne, -- both of whom are Gopher Hockey alums. This year, your cousin, Tyler Nanne, is also on the Minnesota roster. How much does this school and this program mean to the Lettieri/Nanne families?
It's really special to share this experience with so many members of my family - we have a lot of history with this program and even more history with the University of Minnesota in general. It's great to keep this tradition in the family. This program has been great to me, it's been great to my family. I wouldn't want to play hockey or go to school anywhere else. When I was making my college decision, my grandpa was pushing me to Minnesota for the academics just as much as the hockey program. Coming here was a great decision for me, and I couldn't be happier.
Quick Hits: Vinni Lettieri
Who Plays You in a Movie: Al Pacino or zach galifianakis
Favorite Food: Steak or Sushi
Funniest Teammate: Tyler Nanne
Smartest Teammate: Mitch Rogge
Favorite Movie: Any of the Ace Venutra or Hangover movies
Desert Island Partner: Jake Bischoff
Favorite Gopher: Lou Nanne
Favorite NHL Player: Alexander Ovechkin
Play Another Sport: Soccer
Best Road Trip: Mexico
