Tommy Vannelli

une 2018: Vannelli spent the majority of the season with the ECHL Tulsa Oilers putting up 22 points in 51 games. A handful of call ups to the San Antonio Rampage didn’t bring the defensive prospect as much success and Vannelli looks to be closer to the bottom of the depth pool vs the top of it. Josh Epstein

September 2017 – Vannelli spent 2016-2017 with the Atlanta Gladiators and the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL.  In 46 ECHL games, he had a total of 1 goal and 18 assists.  Vannelli was at one point viewed as a top defensive prospect for the St. Louis Blues.  At present it seems to be a long journey for him from the ECHL to the NHL.  Vannelli is irrelevant from a fantasy perspective for the foreseeable future. Doug Abrams

October 2016 – Vannelli has been cut from training camp and been assigned to Chicago in the AHL. The main focus this year will be to stay healthy as a concussion limited him to just seven games last season. If he does, he has the ability to put up some solid offensive stats. Brad Phillips

May 2016 – The young defenseman turned pro, and was injured just a few games into the 2015-16 season. Unfortunately this put his development on hold. We’ll see what he can bring in 2016-17. His amazing offensive ability makes him interesting for fantasy leagues. The Blues are in no immediate need at the position, so missing the year might have been a positive, giving him to mature and develop physically. He’ll resume in the Fall with the Wolves in AHL. Matt Kowalski

February 2015 – Still playing with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL and showing strong development in his game. Scored 41 points for them last year and is on pace to put at least that many up again this year. What is most impressive is he’s turned into a plus-19 this year. Always an offensive talent but his defensive awareness seems to be coming around. The kid has hockey in his blood, Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne is his grandfather and he has cousins who have also been drafted into NHL. Succeeded at every level he has played in, as a standout for Minnetonka (MN) High School, and one of the best defensemen for Medicine Hat this year. He is ready for the AHL, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him turn pro soon. He still projects to be a major force on the power play in the NHL with his offensive gifts, still a few years out though to give his big frame time to fill in and mature as defenseman.Matt Kowalski

October 2014 – After a successful start to his WHL career with 41 points in 60 games for Medicine Hat, Vannelli will continue his development there for the 2014-15 campaign. He remains a few years away from being in the NHL. Eric Daoust

October 2013 – Vannelli is in the WHL for the 2013-14 campaign. After nine games with Medicine Hat he leads his team’s defense with four goals and eight points. His progression so far has been impressive. Eric Daoust

July 2013 – Vannelli was selected by St. Louis in the second round (47th overall). This is a good landing spot for him as there is not much prospect competition on the back end in the organization. Eric Daoust

June 2013 – Tommy Vannelli was a late riser in the draft rankings and rightfully so, as he possesses some tantalizing offensive skill from the back end. He enters the draft as one of the best skating defensemen available and owns some great puck rushing ability. As a defenseman, Vannelli racked up eight goals and 31 points for Minnetonka High in the Minnesota High School circuit but then received late season audition with the US U18 WHC team, scoring two goals and three points in seven tournament games. Vannelli owns great vision and puck skills and doesn’t buckle when under pressure, all qualities important to offensive puck rushing defensemen. Brendan Ross