Joe Veleno Bio
Joseph Veleno is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 13, 2000, in Kirkland, Quebec, he has been a notable presence in professional hockey since 2019. Veleno was drafted 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft and has also skated for the Chicago Blackhawks during his career. He has represented Canada in several international tournaments, including a gold medal performance at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Veleno was born and raised in Kirkland, Quebec, a suburb on the Island of Montreal. He is of Italian descent and grew up in a bilingual environment, which helped him become fluent in English, French, and Italian. Growing up, Veleno supported the Washington Capitals and admired forward Alexander Ovechkin, two influences that shaped his early love for the game.
Beyond hockey, young Veleno also played soccer and lacrosse, developing the hand-eye coordination and athletic base that would later benefit him on ice. His talent was evident from an early age, and by the time he was a minor midget player in Quebec, scouts had already identified him as a future star. In June 2015, he became the first minor midget player from Quebec to be granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada, allowing him to enter major junior hockey as a 15-year-old. That same year, he was selected first overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft by the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Path to Professional Hockey
Veleno’s exceptional status made him only the fifth player in CHL history to receive such a designation, following John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, and Sean Day. After a strong start to his major junior career with Saint John, he was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in December 2017. In 2017-18, he posted 79 points across 64 combined games between the two clubs, establishing himself as a top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft.
The Detroit Red Wings selected Veleno with the 30th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Returning to Drummondville for the 2018-19 QMJHL season, he produced 42 goals and 62 assists for 104 points, helping the Voltigeurs reach the QMJHL semi-finals. His offensive consistency at the junior level cemented his status as a top NHL prospect heading into the professional ranks.
Joe Veleno Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
On May 1, 2019, Veleno signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings. After being assigned to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins to begin the 2019-20 season, he continued his development in the minors. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2020-21 NHL campaign and created uncertainty around the AHL schedule, so Detroit loaned him to the Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2020-21 season. Veleno scored 11 goals and 20 points in 46 SHL games, showcasing his adaptability in a new league.
After the SHL season concluded, Veleno was reassigned to Grand Rapids on April 10, 2021. Just over two weeks later, he made his NHL debut with the Red Wings on April 27 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. On May 7, 2021, he netted his first career NHL goal on the power play, also against Columbus, marking the beginning of his professional NHL journey.
Detroit Red Wings Tenure (2021-2025)
Veleno spent the next several seasons developing into a regular contributor for the Red Wings. By the 2023-24 season, he had earned a steady role, skating in all but two games. That year, he set career highs across the board, finishing with 12 goals, 16 assists, and 28 points. In recognition of his progress, Detroit signed him to a two-year contract extension in July 2024.
During the early portion of the 2024-25 campaign, Veleno appeared in 56 games for the Red Wings, recording five goals and five assists. On March 7, 2025, Detroit traded him to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Petr Mrázek and forward Craig Smith. His time in Chicago proved productive, as he posted three goals and seven points in 18 games down the stretch.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2025-Present)
Veleno’s stay with the Blackhawks ended quickly. On June 21, 2025, Chicago traded him to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for André Burakovsky. The Kraken placed him on unconditional waivers and bought out the final year of his contract on June 30, 2025. As an unrestricted free agent, Veleno agreed to a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 16, 2025, giving the hometown player a chance to compete in his native province.
Driving Style and Strengths
Veleno is recognized as a reliable two-way centre with strong skating ability and vision in the offensive zone. He is comfortable in all three zones, reads the play well, and can contribute on both the power play and the penalty kill. His combination of speed, hockey sense, and versatility has made him a valuable depth piece at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most talked-about moments of Veleno’s career came during the 2023 IIHF World Championship, when he received a five-game suspension after a disciplinary hearing related to an incident against Switzerland. On the positive side, he played an integral role in Canada’s gold medal win at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won gold with the under-18 squad at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
Joe Veleno Career Highlights
Junior and Minor Pro Highlights
Veleno’s most productive junior season came in 2018-19, when he recorded 42 goals and 62 assists for 104 points with Drummondville and added 17 points in 16 playoff games. He also posted 11 goals and 20 points during his time with Malmö in the SHL, and he set NHL career highs with 12 goals, 16 assists, and 28 points for Detroit in 2023-24. Each of these seasons marked a clear step forward in his development.
International Highlights
Veleno captured a gold medal with Canada at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and again at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He also represented Canada at the IIHF World U18 Championships in 2018 and made his senior national team debut at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
Joe Veleno Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Joseph Veleno was raised in Kirkland, Quebec, by a family of Italian heritage. He is fluent in English, French, and Italian, reflecting the multicultural upbringing he experienced at home. Beyond his immediate family, little is publicly confirmed about his parents or siblings.
Personal Life
Veleno continues to reside in the hockey world he grew up in, now playing for the Montreal Canadiens, the team based in his home province. He has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, and no details about a spouse or children are publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season was a year of transition for Veleno. With Detroit, he played 56 games and produced five goals and five assists before being dealt to Chicago on March 7, 2025. After the trade, he found more offensive rhythm with the Blackhawks, finishing the regular season with three goals and seven points across 18 games.
Following the season, Veleno’s contract path took several quick turns. Chicago traded him to Seattle on June 21, 2025, and the Kraken bought out the final year of his contract on June 30. Just over two weeks later, on July 16, 2025, he signed a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens, where he is expected to compete for a depth role at centre in 2025-26.
Heading into the 2025-26 campaign, Veleno will look to build on his late-season form with Chicago and bring energy to a young Canadiens roster. A strong showing in Montreal could position him for a longer-term role with the organization or, at the very least, a more stable contract situation moving forward.