Joe Veleno

Joseph Veleno (born January 13, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a centre for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 30th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL entry draft. Veleno has also previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens.

Playing career

Junior

In June 2015, Veleno became the first minor midget player from Quebec to be granted exceptional player status allowing him to play major junior as a 15-year-old, which led to him being selected first overall in that year's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft by the Saint John Sea Dogs. With this, he would become the fifth player in the history of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to be granted exceptional status, following: John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, and Sean Day respectively.

On December 8, 2017, it was announced that Veleno had been traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in exchange for three future first-round and two second-round QMJHL draft selections. Collectively, he produced 79 points in 64 games played between Saint John and Drummondville over the course of the 2017–18 QMJHL season.

Veleno was selected with the penultimate pick of the first round (30th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL entry draft. During the ensuing 2018–19 QMJHL season, he registered 42 goals and 62 assists for a total of 104 points, helping the Voltigeurs reach the semi-finals of the QMJHL playoffs adding a further eight goals and nine assists across 16 postseason games.

Professional

On May 1, 2019, Veleno signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Red Wings. Initially not making the main roster out of training camp, he began the 2019–20 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

With the 2020–21 NHL season delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the possibility of an AHL season in doubt, Veleno was loaned to Swedish Hockey League (SHL) club, the Malmö Redhawks, for the 2020–21 season. Due to SHL rules, he was ineligible to return to North America until the Redhawks season concluded. In 46 appearances with the foregoing, Veleno contributed with 11 goals and 20 points, before reassignment by Detroit to Grand Rapids on April 10, 2021. Thereafter, Veleno made his NHL debut for the Red Wings in a game versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 27. Ten days later, he scored his first career NHL goal on the power play also against the Blue Jackets.

Skating in all but two games with the Red Wings for the 2023–24 season, Veleno proceeded to set career highs in goals (12), assists (16), and points (28). In July 2024, he agreed to a two-year extension with the team.

On March 7, 2025, Veleno was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Petr Mrázek and Craig Smith. Prior to the transaction, he appeared in 56 games for the Red Wings during the 2024–25 season and recorded five goals and five assists. Veleno increased his offensive output with the Blackhawks and would finish the regular season with three goals and seven points through 18 total games. Despite this, his tenure with the Blackhawks was short lived as he was traded at the conclusion of the season to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for André Burakovsky on June 21, 2025. Veleno was subsequently placed on unconditional waivers by the Kraken who bought out the remaining year of his tenure on June 30.

Entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Veleno agreed to a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 16, 2025. During the 2025–26 season, he was utilized as a depth forward, appearing in 61 games for the Canadiens, posting two goals and three assists. With his team qualifying for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, Veleno did not appear in their first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, instead making his postseason debut in the opening game of the Canadiens' second round matchup against the Buffalo Sabres on May 6. Four days later, he registered his first career playoff point, assisting on a goal by teammate Zachary Bolduc.

After not being tendered a qualifying offer by the Canadiens, Veleno was signed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal by the New York Rangers for the 2026–27 season on July 1, 2026.

International play

Internationally, Veleno first represented Hockey Canada as part of team Canada Black at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where his team ultimately finished in last place. Returning again the following year, he would be forced to withdraw from tournament play due to injury.

In 2016 and 2017, Veleno was named to the national under-18 team for the annual Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, capturing a gold medal at the latter iteration. He then served as an alternate captain for the national under-18 team at the IIHF World U18 Championships in April 2018.

After failing to secure a podium finish with the national junior team at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Veleno would play an integral role in his country's gold medal win in 2020.

In May 2023, he made his national senior team debut at the IIHF World Championship. During a preliminary round match against Switzerland, Veleno stamped on the calf of opposing forward Nino Niederreiter with his skate blade amidst a puck battle. Although not initially assessed a penalty by game officials, he would be subject to a disciplinary hearing resulting in a five-game suspension.

Personal life

Born in Kirkland, Quebec, Veleno is of Italian descent. His favourite team growing up was the Washington Capitals while his favourite player was Alexander Ovechkin. In addition to hockey, Veleno also played soccer and lacrosse as a child. A multilingual, he is fluent in English, French, and Italian.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours

External links

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