Luca Caputi

Gianluca Caputi (born October 1, 1988) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current associate coach with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.

Luca Caputi
Born (1988-10-01) October 1, 1988
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Pittsburgh Penguins
Toronto Maple Leafs
VIK Västerås HK
IK Oskarshamn
NHL Draft 111th overall, 2007
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2008–2015

Playing career

Amateur

Luca grew up in Maple, Ontario, a suburban community north of Toronto, Ontario. In his final season with the Niagara IceDogs, Caputi found his balance with 51 goals and 111 points in just 66 games, becoming an offensive juggernaut on the first line. His 111 points were fourth in league scoring and his 51 goals were third in the OHL while both his 51 goals and 111 points are the most in one season for the Mississauga and Niagara IceDogs organization. Caputi led the team into the playoffs where they defeated the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 4-0 before losing to the Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in the conference semifinals.

Caputi was drafted in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Penguins of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft as the 111th overall pick. While several scouts projected him as high as the 40th pick claiming that he was a great package of both size and skill possessing a long reach, he managed to drop into the 4th round. Teams passed on him due to his inconsistent play of edge and skill with a lack of effective hitting.

Professional

Following his breakout season, on April 23, 2008, Caputi signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[1] He then helped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League reach the Calder Cup Finals with 8 points in 19 games.

After starting the 2008–09 season with Wilkes-Barre, Caputi made his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens on February 3, 2009, scoring his first NHL goal on his first shift after being on the ice for just 2:03 of ice time.[2]

On March 4, 2009, Caputi was assigned to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL due to "a violation of team rules. "[3] In the 2009–10 season on January 5, 2010, Caputi was recalled back up from Wilkes-Barre due to the injured Chris Kunitz. He scored a goal and played on the Penguins' second line against the Atlanta Thrashers.

On March 2, 2010, Caputi was traded along with defenceman Martin Skoula to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Alexei Ponikarovsky.[4] On March 4, he played his first game for the Maple Leafs and recorded an assist against the Boston Bruins. He scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf against the Boston Bruins on March 9 with 40 seats reserved for family and friends in Toronto.

On October 4, 2010, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Caputi was one of four players assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. On October 27, 2010, Caputi was called up by the Maple Leafs.

On January 3, 2012, Caputi was traded by the Leafs to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Nicolas Deschamps.[5]

On August 31, 2013, Caputi signed abroad on a one-year contract with European team VIK Västerås HK of the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan.[6] Caputi enjoyed a successful debut season in Sweden, posting 35 points in 45 games with VIK.

On July 15, 2014, Caputi decided to remain in Sweden, however joined fellow Allsvenskan club, IK Oskarshamn, on an optional two-year deal.[7]

Career statistics
    Regular  season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2003–04Toronto Jr. CanadiensGTHL525255107127—————
2004–05Mississauga IceDogsOHL4851625—————
2005–06Mississauga IceDogsOHL3230343—————
2006–07Mississauga IceDogsOHL682738656652130
2007–08Niagara IceDogsOHL66516011110710891714
2007–08Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL—————194488
2008–09Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL66182745451235810
2008–09Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL51014—————
2008–09Wheeling NailersECHL32130—————
2009–10Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL5423244761—————
2009–10Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL41122—————
2009–10Toronto Maple LeafsNHL1915610—————
2010–11Toronto MarliesAHL1314530—————
2010–11Toronto Maple LeafsNHL70004—————
2011–12Toronto MarliesAHL2121310—————
2011–12Syracuse CrunchAHL3910122219—————
2012–13Norfolk AdmiralsAHL353151823—————
2012–13Fort Wayne KometsECHL15681417—————
2013–14VIK Västerås HKAllsv451421353670226
2014–15IK OskarshamnAllsv391091936—————
NHL totals 35 3 6 9 20 — — — — —

References
  1. "Penguins sign Luca Caputi". Pittsburgh Penguins. April 23, 2008. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  2. pageContainer "Habs foil Pens" Check |url= value (help). CBS Sports. February 3, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  3. "Caputi re-assigned to Wheeling". CitizensVoice. com. March 4, 2009. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  4. "Leafs trade Ponikarovsky to Penguins for Skoula, Caputi". TSN. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  5. "Ducks Acquire Caputi from Toronto". Anaheim Ducks. January 3, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  6. "Vasteras agree to terms with NHL player Caputi" (in Swedish). VIK Vasteras HK. August 31, 2013. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  7. "Caputi to Oskarshamn" (in Swedish). IK Oskarshamn. July 15, 2014. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
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