DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have announced the re-signing of center Joe Veleno to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.275 million.
Veleno, aged 24, had a standout season in 2023-24, playing in all 80 games for the Red Wings and achieving career-best statistics across multiple categories. He recorded 12 goals, 16 assists, totaling 28 points, and notably excelled on the power play with three goals. Additionally, he registered 86 shots on goal and an impressive shooting percentage of 14.0%. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 201 pounds, Veleno has been a consistent presence with the Red Wings since the 2022-23 season, where he posted 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) along with 30 penalty minutes in 81 games.
Originally drafted by the Red Wings in the first round (30th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Veleno has accumulated 64 points (30 goals, 34 assists) and 81 penalty minutes over 232 NHL games starting from the 2020-21 season. Prior to his NHL career, he honed his skills in the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins from 2019 to 2022, contributing 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in 69 games. Veleno also began the 2020-21 season in the Swedish Hockey League with the Malmo Redhawks, amassing 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 46 games before returning to North America following the conclusion of the SHL season.
Before transitioning to professional hockey, Veleno made significant strides in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Drummondville Voltigeurs from 2015 to 2019. During this time, he accumulated 266 points (90 goals, 176 assists) in 230 regular-season games, adding 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists) in 61 postseason appearances. His standout season came in 2018-19 with Drummondville, where he earned QMJHL First All-Star Team honors after finishing fourth in the league with 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists) in 59 games. Veleno’s junior hockey career included winning a QMJHL championship with Saint John in 2016-17.
Hailing from Kirkland, Quebec, Veleno achieved exceptional player status from Hockey Canada in 2015, becoming the first Quebec-born prospect to receive this distinction. Internationally, he has represented Canada at various levels, including winning a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, where he contributed five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in five games. He also played pivotal roles in Team Canada’s gold medal victories at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
The re-signing of Joe Veleno underscores Detroit’s commitment to nurturing and retaining talent within their roster as they continue to build towards future success in the NHL.
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have announced the re-signing of center Joe Veleno to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.275 million.
Veleno, aged 24, had a standout season in 2023-24, playing in all 80 games for the Red Wings and achieving career-best statistics across multiple categories. He recorded 12 goals, 16 assists, totaling 28 points, and notably excelled on the power play with three goals. Additionally, he registered 86 shots on goal and an impressive shooting percentage of 14.0%. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 201 pounds, Veleno has been a consistent presence with the Red Wings since the 2022-23 season, where he posted 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) along with 30 penalty minutes in 81 games.
Originally drafted by the Red Wings in the first round (30th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Veleno has accumulated 64 points (30 goals, 34 assists) and 81 penalty minutes over 232 NHL games starting from the 2020-21 season. Prior to his NHL career, he honed his skills in the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins from 2019 to 2022, contributing 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in 69 games. Veleno also began the 2020-21 season in the Swedish Hockey League with the Malmo Redhawks, amassing 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 46 games before returning to North America following the conclusion of the SHL season.
Before transitioning to professional hockey, Veleno made significant strides in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Drummondville Voltigeurs from 2015 to 2019. During this time, he accumulated 266 points (90 goals, 176 assists) in 230 regular-season games, adding 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists) in 61 postseason appearances. His standout season came in 2018-19 with Drummondville, where he earned QMJHL First All-Star Team honors after finishing fourth in the league with 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists) in 59 games. Veleno’s junior hockey career included winning a QMJHL championship with Saint John in 2016-17.
Hailing from Kirkland, Quebec, Veleno achieved exceptional player status from Hockey Canada in 2015, becoming the first Quebec-born prospect to receive this distinction. Internationally, he has represented Canada at various levels, including winning a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, where he contributed five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in five games. He also played pivotal roles in Team Canada’s gold medal victories at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
The re-signing of Joe Veleno underscores Detroit’s commitment to nurturing and retaining talent within their roster as they continue to build towards future success in the NHL.
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