Teammates told Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno to work hard, have fun and enjoy the moment Tuesday, because you only get one opportunity to make your NHL debut.
“They said everything you did to get here, bring it on the ice every shift,” Veleno said.
After feeling some butterflies and what he called exciting nerves during the pregame warmup, Veleno did not look out of place in his first NHL game, a 1-0 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
“He was strong on the puck, strong on his stick, played a 200-foot game, had some opportunities,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “I thought he played a good hockey game. He looked like a guy who’s played two years pro and was ready for the opportunity to skate in the NHL. His strength really showed.
“He got a decent amount of ice time and he earned it.”
Veleno, centering a line with Sam Gagner and Richard Panik, logged 14:59. He played a shift on the power play, was on the ice late in the third period during four-on-four play and logged one shift in overtime. He had two shots on goal and won 4-of-7 face-offs.
“I thought I was skating well, keeping things simple, not trying to over-extend my shifts, trying to have fresh legs every time I went out there,” Veleno, 21, said. “Just trying to chip in any way I could.”
That included being solid defensively.
“Obviously, being good defensively as a center is pretty important in the NHL and I wanted to show that aspect,” Veleno said. “I think I had some pretty good looks offensively, created some O-zone time, had a couple chances, even had some chances on the power play.”
Blashill said he wasn’t concerned about matchups or who Veleno was on the ice against.
“We think he’s ready to have a chance to play, we wanted to see what he’s got, and I thought he did a good job,” Blashill said.
The club’s second pick in 2018 (30th overall in the first round) noted the faster pace than what he experienced with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins last season or with the Swedish Hockey League’s Malmo Red Hawks this season.
“I have to be engaged every shift,” Veleno said. “Every time you hear your name called you have to make sure you’re doing a good job and trying to create something. That’s the mentality I have, every time I go out on the ice, try to contribute in some way and make something happen every shift.”
Veleno will have as many as five more games over the next 11 days to gain experience and confidence at this level, in the hopes of being a full-time NHL player in 2020-21.
“I’m not putting tons of pressure on myself,” Veleno said. “I want to play the game right. Guys are going to help me along the way. But obviously, I want to help the team win every time I step on the ice. I want to be a difference-maker for this team, if it’s scoring a goal or blocking a shot or whatever it is, I want to be important in all aspects of this game and help this team win.”
Unfortunately, his family could not attend due to travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada.
“A lot of friends and family watching tonight back home,” Veleno said. “It’s too bad they couldn’t be here, but at least they got to see me on TV.”
More: What Red Wings hope to see from Joe Veleno in final few games of season
The Link LonkApril 28, 2021 at 05:02PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/04/red-wings-joe-veleno-makes-positive-impression-in-nhl-debut.html
Red Wings’ Joe Veleno makes positive impression in NHL debut - MLive.com
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