Red Wings Send Joe Veleno Back to Juniors

According to Mikaël Lalancette of TVA Sports, the Red Wings have sent 2018 1st round pick Joe Veleno back to the  Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL.

Veleno impressed in camp, registering two assists in three preseason games. In the game against Pittsburgh, Veleno showed off his excellent vision with his second assist of the preseason.

Last season, Veleno registered 6 goals and 25 assists for 31 points in 31 games with Saint John before being traded to Drummondville where he finished out the season with 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points in 33 games. That puts his point total at 79 points in 64 games which is a number he’ll surely improve on. Drummondville has a strong team and is firmly in contention for the QMJHL’s President’s Cup and the expectation for Veleno should be a 100 point season.

This will most likely be Veleno’s last season in the QMJHL. Because of his granted exceptional status, this will be his fourth season in the CHL, therefore making him eligible to go and play in the AHL after this season. The CHL-NHL agreement is four years in the CHL or the player turns 20-years-old before the end of the current year.

This year it will be all Voltigeurs, but next season it will be either Red Wings or Griffins at just 19-years-old.