After three seasons at the University of Connecticut, Maxim Letunov has decided to turn pro. The San Jose Sharks today announced the signing of the big forward to a two-year entry-level contract. The signing comes just days after Letunov was named a Hockey East second team all-star for the second time.
Amazingly, Letunov has already been traded twice in the NHL. After being selected in the second round of the 2014 draft, the St. Louis Blues sent his rights to Arizona in a trade for Zbynek Michalek at the 2015 trade deadline. A little more than a year later, his rights were traded again, this time from Arizona to San Jose for a pair of draft picks. Letunov has long been expected to be an effective player at the next level, and will now get his chance to prove it in the Sharks organization.
Standing 6’4″ 180-lbs, Letunov had 28 points this season with UConn. Sharks’ GM Doug Wilson had this to say in the press release:
Max is a talented scorer and playmaker who has utilized his high-end speed and creativity to produce at every level that he has played. His tremendous hockey sense has allowed him to develop into a strong special teams asset at both ends of the ice. He has worked hard to improve his physical strength and has shown us that he is ready to translate his game to the professional ranks.
Though born in Russia, Letunov has been in North America for years, playing midget hockey in Dallas before suiting up for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. Though there’s no guarantee he gets past the AHL level, he has many attributes that should excite San Jose fans. Getting the 22-year old into their development system was just the first step.