Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Veleno Suspended Five Games by IIHF

Veleno suspended for kicking

Published

11 months ago

May 21, 2023

Bob Duff

Red Wings forward Joe Veleno of Canada is suspended five games by the IIHF for kicking.

Detroit Red Wings forward Joe Veleno won’t be playing again the 2023 IIHF World Championship.The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Disciplinary Panel has issued a 5-game suspension to Canadian forward Veleno for violating Official Playing Rule 49 (kicking).

During Canada’s game on Saturday against Switzerland, Veleno lifted his right leg and stomped down hard with his skate blade on the left leg of Swiss captain Nino Niederreiter. The incident occurred at 8:21 in the second period. The five-game sitdown assures that Veleno won’t be playing again in the tournament, since Canada would have a maximum of five games to play.

Joe Veleno could be facing a lengthy suspension for stomping on Nino Niederreiter’s ankle at the #IIHFWorlds 😳🤕

(🎥: @SEllisHockey)pic.twitter.com/ghf6WFBSZQ

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 20, 2023

Amazingly, the officials missed the flagrant infraction but later penalized Niederreiter for retaliating against Veleno. The Swiss team was incensed by the non-call against Veleno and their frustration was doubled when Canada scored to take a 1-0 lead during the ensuing power play.

“I’m not a fan of such actions, but he decided to do it and he has to face the consequences for it,” Swiss defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler said.

The Swiss would rally to take a 3-2 verdict over Canada and sit atop their pool. Canada is third, behind Czechia.

Niederreiter told reporters after the game that Veleno had later sought to apologize to him.

“He tried to apologize, but to do such a thing . . . he has to grow up,” Niederreiter told Swedish media site Expressen.se.

Suspension Announcement: @HockeyCanada's Joe Veleno has been issued a 5-game suspension for violating Official Playing Rule 49 (Kicking).

Read more: https://t.co/Ho102mtoq0 pic.twitter.com/WjaKqQQxZJ

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 21, 2023