Whether it’s home games, hometown pride or home-cooked meals, Joe Veleno isn’t taking a single moment of his time with the Montreal Canadiens for granted.
Family dinners and Canadiens fandom were staples in the Veleno household in Kirkland – a suburb of Montreal. Growing up surrounded by the game and the iconic Original Six team, Veleno now finds himself living out a childhood dream after signing with his hometown club as a free agent this offseason.
“We’d have hockey on the TV every single night, no matter who was playing,” said the forward, who earned a roster spot with the team after a strong training camp. “Obviously, every channel had the Montreal Canadiens, so that was always a big thing for us. Most Saturday nights, the Habs would be playing, we would sit in front of the TV and watch hockey.”
Fluent in English, French and Italian, Veleno celebrated making the team with a dinner at his childhood home alongside his parents.
Home-cooked meals are just one of the many perks that come with playing for the Canadiens – and one that his teammates may get to enjoy as well.
“I’m going to have get some guys on the invite list for dinner,” said Veleno. “I had Ivan Demidov over this summer. He was staying in town this summer and we had him over to my parents’ place for dinner. He had some homemade Italian pasta my mom cooked and a nice Italian meal. I think he did pretty well. I’m pretty sure he had two plates and brought some leftovers back to his place.”
Five-star meals aside, it’s the opportunity to wear the colours of the team he grew up cheering for that excites Veleno most.
Seeing his name on the back of the Canadiens’ jersey for the first time left him nearly speechless.
“I got to realize just how special this is in preseason when I had my first exhibition game at the Bell Centre. I walked over to my stall and saw my name on the Montreal Canadiens jersey. It was surreal.
“Not too many kids get to play for their hometown team in the NHL. To do it with Montreal … I am so grateful for that.”
The 25-year-old forward was the first Quebec-born player to receive exceptional status to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League as a 15-year-old. He was drafted 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Veleno skated in 288 regular-season games with the Red Wings before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks last season. Just three months later, he was traded to the Seattle Kraken in June before signing with Montreal.
“Playing in this city – it’s such a passionate fanbase,” said Veleno. “Everyone lives for the Canadiens and cares about the team so much. I love that feeling of playing in a place where hockey is at the core of so much. Obviously, there will be ups and downs, but to embrace everything, to play at the Bell Centre, to play for the fans and all those who have worn the logo, it’s pretty incredible.”
And he hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Some people have [recognized me]. It also adds an extra bonus for me in that they know I am from here. The fans are unbelievable.”
Veleno has the same high praise for his teammates and coaching staff.
“The team is amazing. It’s a close group and everyone is mostly around the same age. It’s a young group. The coaching staff is great. They are very open and are committed to helping us individually and as a group. They want the best for us. Marty [St. Louis] is a motivational guy and he knows how to get us going.
“We rally for each other, we defend one another on the ice and we all have the same approach.”
Veleno will rely on his size, speed and defensive skillset to make an impact on a Canadiens team eager to build off a 2024-25 postseason appearance.
What does he consider a successful night?
“Bringing a lot of energy, playing with pace and being hard to play against. When I am moving my feet, I am effective out there. I think I bring energy and physicality to my shifts – just hard to play against.”
And he won’t be lacking support – in the stands or at home.
“My parents made a lot of sacrifices for me. Being home now, seeing them and spending time with them – everyone I don’t get to see very often, I get to now. It feels weird in a way, but I am really enjoying everything so far. You can’t really get better than being home, being in this great city and being around those I am closest with. It’s nice that they will have a chance to see me play more often.”
Feature photo courtesy of Getty Images
