If Team Canada makes a run through the IIHF World Championship bracket, they’ll have to navigate without their second-leading scorer.
Joe Veleno, a center for the Red Wings, was suspended five games for an incident in the second period of Canada’s loss Saturday against Switzerland, when he stomped on Nino Niederreiter’s leg — or area around the foot — with his skate as the pair fought for possession along the boards.
Veleno didn’t receive a penalty, but Niederreiter was penalized when he continued shoving Veleno as play continued, eventually knocking the 23-year-old to the ice.
“I have been notified of the five-game suspension imposed by the IIHF for my actions in our game against Switzerland,” Veleno said in a statement. “I accept the sanctions from the IIHF and apologize for my actions.”
Joe Veleno stomped Nino Niederreiter in the second period of their game Saturday.Screengrab via Twitter/@SEllisHockeyWith the suspension, Veleno will miss Canada’s games against Norway on Monday and Czechia on Tuesday, as well as potential quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games if Canada advances.
IIHF said in its release that Veleno violated “Official Playing Rule 49 (Kicking),” which, according to The Athletic, states that “the action of a Player deliberately using their skate(s) with a kicking motion to propel the puck or to make contact with an opponent.
“We have been informed that the IIHF Disciplinary Committee has imposed a five-game suspension to Joe Veleno for an on-ice incident that occurred during Canada’s game against Switzerland on May 20,” Canada National Men’s Team general manager Doug Anderson said in a statement. “Canada’s National Men’s Team acknowledges the role of the committee and appreciate the diligence that went into the decision-making process, and we accept and support the IIHF’s decision.”
Joe Veleno was a first-round pick by the Red Wings in 2018.Getty ImagesThrough their first five games in Group B, Veleno had recorded two goals and three assists, which sat behind just Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar and his eight points.
“That is beyond dirty,” one of the game’s broadcasters said during a replay. “That is egregiously awful when you know exactly what you’re doing.”
It’s not the first time Veleno has been suspended by the IIHF, either.
Nino Niederreiter was the opponent who Joe Veleno stomped on with his skate.Getty Images In December 2019, Canada lost Veleno for one game due to a headbutting suspension when he made contact with the helmet of a Team Russia defenseman twice following a whistle — with the second contact causing the defenseman’s “helmet to be lifted up,” according to a release.
Veleno was the Red Wings’ first-round pick in 2018 at No. 30 overall, and he totaled a career-best 20 points in 81 games this season.
