Bruins forward deserving of call-up, ready to contribute to team

Vinni Lettieri’s strong play in Providence was rewarded with a call up to the Bruins.

The veteran forward was summoned from the AHL by Boston on Monday and practiced at Warrior Ice Arena. He skated on the third line with Trent Frederic and Oliver Wahlstrom.

Lettieri was on a point-per-game pace — he has 35 points in as many games — before he was called up and is looking forward to the opportunity to play at the NHL level again.

“I’m very honored to be here with this group. I think everything that I’ve done so far has been just a testament to how good the coaching staff and the players are down in Providence, and they work so hard every day to become better,” Lettieri told reporters on Monday. “... Anything I’ve had success in the beginning to now is all because of them, so obviously, grateful for this opportunity and just trying to win games here.”

Lettieri was traded to the Bruins over the summer in a deal that sent Jakub Lauko to the Minnesota Wild. With being Providence’s leading scorer, Lettieri was excited to get the news he was being called up to the NHL.

“Every day you’re trying to try to get up here, and as long as you’re getting better each and every single day, I think that’s all that matters,” he said. “It’s a long season, both up here and down, and there’s gonna be bumps in the road, but just grinding through and persevering every day is how you’re gonna come on top.”

It’s his second stint in Boston, so he has familiarity with the organization and already knows what’s expected of him. The 29-year-old also has NHL experience having played in 129 games.

Lettieri spent the 2022-23 season with the Bruins and had 49 points for Providence. He only played in one game with the big club before he suffered a lower-body injury. Once he was healthy enough to return, he was assigned to Providence.

“It was just a bump of the road, and I just look forward to the big man above, and he’s everything for me. So whether that’s the injury that time, it all pans itself out,” Lettieri said. “And sitting here again, this locker room, everything happens for a reason, and I just trust in His plan and just come ready to play and win games.”

The call-up comes during a time in which Matt Poitras, Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov are all playing well for Providence. But Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco said Lettieri deserved to be rewarded.

“I think right now, just based on what we have, we’re looking at a little bit of speed element there,” he said. “His confidence level right now is pretty high, so we’re hoping that carries over to our level here with our group. And it’s not to say that other guys at some point won’t be getting an opportunity as well. We’ll see. But he was the guy, right now, he’s deserving of the opportunity basically based on merit.

Lettieri could see time on the power play on Tuesday when the Bruins host the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Sacco said they’ll figure out what the lines and units will look like throughout the day Monday and Tuesday if there’s a pregame skate.

The Bruins would certainly benefit from an offensive punch. They’ve struggled to score this season and with 37 games to go, they sit on the outside looking in of a playoff picture.