Cunti, Luca

Taken at No.17 of today's Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, Lightning prospect Luca Cunti will be joining the junior club that brought the NHL Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, and Sidney Crosby -- the Rimouski Oceanic.

At first glance, this is a great situation for Cunti, who tried to play last year at St. Cloud State University before the NCAA denied his amateur eligibility status. Cunti later joined the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League.

With Rimouski, Cunti will play on a stocked roster as Rimouski is the host team for the 2009 Memorial Cup.

A recap of recent news from around the world of Bolt Prospects, with updates on the futures of Johan Harju, Mitch Fadden, Dane Crowley, and Luca Cunti...

2008 USHL CLARK CUP SEMI-FINALS

Game 2: (4) Chicago Steel 1 @ (2) Waterloo Black Hawks 5
Waterloo leads Best of 5 series 2-0

W/C Luca Cunti, CHI:
Game: 0-1-1, E, 1 shot on goal
Series: 2 GP, 0-1-1, E, 1 shot on goal
Playoffs: 6 GP, 2-2-4, +1, 2 PIM, 9 shots on goal

Waterloo has outscored Chicago 9-2 on their way to a commanding 2-0 series lead. Somewhat ironically, the Black Hawks can close out the series in Chicago on Sunday.

Game 1: (4) Chicago Steel 1 @ (2) Waterloo Black Hawks 4
Waterloo leads Best of 5 series 1-0

W/C Luca Cunti, CHI:
Game: 0-0-0, E, 0 shots on goal
Playoffs: 5 GP, 2-1-3, +1, 2 PIM, 8 shots on goal

Waterloo struck first against Chicago in their East Division Finals series, winning 4-1 and taking a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is Friday at Waterloo.

2008 USHL CLARK CUP PLAYOFFS – ROUND 1

Game 4: (1) Indiana Ice 0 @ (4) Chicago Steel 5
Chicago wins Best of 5 series 3-1

W/C Luca Cunti, CHI:
Game: 0-0-0, E, 2 shots on goal
Series: 4 GP, 2-1-3, +1, 2 PIM, 8 shots on goal

Chicago broke a 0-0 second period tie with two goals before adding three power play markers in the third period to close out their first round series with an upset over top-seeded Indiana. After being named third star in Game 3, Cunti was scoreless for the Steel in the clincher. Chicago will now play second-seeded Waterloo in the Clark Cup Semi-Finals.