New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Joe Veleno on a one-year contract.
Veleno, 26, skated in 61 games for the Montreal Canadiens in 2025-26, registering two goals and three assists for five points. He established a career high 51.6 faceoff win percentage, ranking seventh on the team. He also appeared in nine postseason contests and notched an assist.
The Montreal, Quebec native has skated in 367 career NHL games across six seasons between the Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. He has registered 40 goals and 46 assists for 86 points. During the 2023-24 season, he notched career highs in goals (12), assists (16), points (28), shots (86) and power play goals (3).
Internationally, the 6-1, 201-pound forward represented Team Canada and earned a gold medal at the 2023 World Championships, with Canada’s U20 team at the 2020 World Junior Championships and at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Veleno also represented his country at the 2018 and 2019 World Junior Championships, and at the 2018 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
Veleno was originally selected by the Red Wings in the first round, 30th overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
