The IIHF today suspended Team Canada and Detroit Red Wings forward Joe Veleno for five World Championship games, effectively ending his tournament. The suspension comes in response to Veleno appearing to intentionally step on the lower leg of Switzerland forward Nino Niederreiter during a puck battle in yesterday’s 3-2 win for the Swiss.
Veleno avoided a penalty on the play, and Niederreiter actually received a minor penalty for roughing Veleno later on in the sequence. Upon review, however, the IIHF undoubtedly made the right call, removing Veleno from the remainder of the tournament after one of the more dangerous plays in international hockey in recent memory.
It is a significant loss for Canada, which now sits third in Group B after the regulation loss. Veleno was second on the team in scoring, with two goals and three assists in five games.
Veleno, Detroit’s 30th overall selection in the 2018 NHL Draft, is a restricted free agent this offseason after the conclusion of his entry-level contract. He posted a career-high nine goals and 20 points in 81 games for the Red Wings this season.
Good
What a just incredibly stupid decision from Veleno
Johnny’s comments in the clip say it all. Veleno must’ve thought the game is only on radio, with no cameras in the barn. An RFA this offseason, maybe he should not get a Q.O., too.
And we have our moron of the year award winner already sewed up in May! Come get your award, Joe!
Guys kick other players shin guards all the time against the boards. To move them off the puck. It’s happened to me 100+ times. But I think Joes stomping motion was going too far with it and was somewhat reckless as he could have caught exposed ankle. I actually don’t think it warrants more than a 1 game suspension. In that sequence of events Neidereiter cross checked and high sticked Veleno three times.
NHL should be sitting him down as well and telling him its not going to happen in this league…
NHL hammered Chris Simon for his stomp on Ruutu years ago.. so a tourney suspension seems a bit light. Stomping a guy in a tourney where there’s NO fighting? ~O_O~
The old prophecies of the League getting away from players handling it between themselves (in a non-HW/enforcer kind of way) has come to fruition.. players are told they’re too valuable to drop the gloves and handle it, yet stomp, run, slash, and spear each other with more frequency than I’ve ever seen in 35+ years of watching the game…
Not a good trend, and it will continue until the respect for fighting/handling you’re own business returns.