Team Canada’s Joe Veleno has been suspended for five games after stepping on an opponent’s leg
Canadian ice hockey player Joe Veleno has been suspended for five games after he stepped on the leg of Swiss player Nino Niederreiter during a game of the IIHF World Championship on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings forward was not penalized for the play, but a further investigation revealed the disciplinary action and ruled out Canada’s top scorer for the remainder of the tournament.
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Canada’s forward Milan Lucic, Swiss defender Andrea Glauser and Canada’s forward Joe Veleno vie during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Men’s Group B preliminary round match between Canada and Switzerland in Riga, Latvia May 20, 2023. (GINTS IVUSKANS/AFP via Getty Images)
“I have been informed of the five-game ban imposed by the IIHF for my actions in our game against Switzerland,” Veleno said in a statement. “I accept the IIHF’s sanctions and apologize for my actions.”
Canada men’s national team general manager Doug Armstrong also released a statement.
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“We have been informed that the IIHF Disciplinary Committee has suspended Joe Veleno for five games for an incident on the ice during Canada’s game against Switzerland on May 20,” Armstrong said. “The Canada men’s national team recognizes the role of the committee and appreciates the care that went into the decision-making process. We accept and support the IIHF’s decision.”
Joe Veleno of Canada enters the rink for his shift during IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Finland – Latvia 2023 match between Canada and Kazakhstan at Arena Riga on May 17, 2023 in Riga, Latvia. (Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Veleno battled for the puck on the gang with Niederreiter in the second half of the game when he appeared to step on the player’s ankle on purpose to dislodge the puck.
Detroit voted Veleno 30th overall in 2018. He made his debut in the 2020–2021 season. He played 81 games in 2022–2023, scoring nine goals and 11 points.
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Detroit Red Wings forward Joe Veleno and goaltender Ville Husso celebrate a win over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 13, 2023 in Vancouver, Canada. (Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)
Switzerland won the game 3-2.