WATCH ABOVE: Even though it’s August, hockey is already on the minds of those who love the game. There’s one young Canadian who is emerging as a player to watch. He’s just 15, but he’s so good he is being bumped up to play into the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Mike Armstrong has the story.
SAINT JOHN, N.B – It’s music to a hockey fan’s ears – the sound of skates, sticks and pucks.
Major junior training camps are getting underway and the Saint John Sea Dogs are already seeing their first on-ice action.
It’s Day One for what will be a several month marathon.
Those who make the team have the chance to play for the Memorial Cup in May.
For one Montrealer, it’s a special experience never before witnessed in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Joe Veleno is one of about 60 players at the camp this year – but he’s not just any player.
He’s the first person ever granted exceptional status in the Q, allowing him to take part in the league at just 15-years-old.
The Sea Dogs picked him first overall.
WATCH: It’s an exciting time for fans of major junior hockey in the Maritimes, as training camps are getting underway. As Global’s Andrew Cromwell reports, one team and one player have already made history.
“It was amazing to be out there playing with older guys,” Veleno told Global News.
“It’s fun, it’s competitive and that’s what I like. I like to be part of this kind of environment.”
Coach Danny Flynn told Global News he picked Veleno simply because he liked what he saw.
“He’s got real good skill, real good vision,” said Flynn.
Was it a risk to pick a 15-year-old first overall?
Team officials insisted Veleno’s play spoke for itself.
“The young man played so well at a high level competition for the last twelve months,” said Darrell Young, the team’s General Manager.
“He proved to everybody that he was capable of being an exceptional status player.”
But Veleno didn’t let the excitement of being picked first last long – soon after, he was right back to work on the ice.
“There’s always some other guy that’s trying to be better than you and always wants your spot,” he said.
“You just have to keep working hard and eventually you’re going to keep going far in life.”
rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
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