Detroit Red Wings: NHL Prospect Tournament Roundup

After an incredible year in the QMJHL, Joe Veleno used the NHL Prospect Tournament as a chance to prove himself as ready to compete at the AHL level and possibly a trial run with the Detroit Red Wings.

Of all scorers, Joe Veleno lead all of them, potting seven goals throughout the tournament. Only he and Ryan Kuffner had eight points which rained to be the most in the whole tournament by any player. Veleno looked calm and composed out there even when the game was close in the championship game versus the Stars. Veleno tied up the game and less than a minute later managed to give the Red Wings the lead over the Stars.

Besides scoring, he took a light leadership role, he may not have had an “A” or “C” on his jersey like Taro Hirose who was given an “A” as an assistant captain, but Veleno was a leader. It was easy to notice that Veleno was communicating to his linemates and even other players, and watching him be able to take command and keep the Red Wings in the game and ultimately give them the lead was significant.

This obviously is just one tournament, but with camp now just days away, it makes Veleno look quite good for the Red Wings and hopefully earning him a spot to compete to play in Detroit sooner rather than later. His presence on the power-play was also impressive, as was the entire first power-play unit as a whole group. Hopefully, the NHL Prospect Tournament opened up the Red Wings to Veleno’s development and current talent level as he heads into camp.