SHL.se’s Sixen Funqvist posted a great profile of Joe Veleno earlier this week. Funqvist reports that Veleno is learning about both sides of the game (offense and defense) in southern Sweden…
The League
The SHL is a highly acclaimed league internationally and although Veleno admits he didn’t know much about the league before coming here, he’s adjusted to the style of play and out of his nine goals and five assists, five goals and one helper has come in his past eight games.
What sticks out to you in the SHL?
“I think playing here now, I realize how hard teams are in their structure and they take their defensive responsibilities. It’s tough to get the odd man rush, three-on-two or two-on-ones. It’s very rare you see that, and I’ve noticed a lot of teams are backchecking to the very end and that’s something I’ll take with me going back to North America, the relentlessness to backcheck and compete. I think that’s one thing we’ve harped on a lot. And that is obviously really important going back to those leagues where it’s hard to score goals. Now I can see why, in this league pretty much everyone is backchecking like a dog on a bone and that’s something I’ll take with me.”
And Funqvist asked Veleno about his status as playing close by Rogle BK in Angelholm, where Moritz Seider plies his trade:
One last thing, has there been any stuff on the ice between you and Mo Seider? Anything that stands out? In the Czech League, your teammates Filip Zadina and Filip Hronek have had some great showings against each other.”
“The only thing I can think of was the last game before Christmas break, I made the pass to Händemark on a breakaway and I think Mo was coming the other way. He was one of the two D’s that came at me on the check and that allowed me to get Händemark in all alone to score on overtime. I don’t know if that was his fault really, I don’t really take notice on who I’m playing. It doesn’t matter if it’s Mo or someone else but that’s probably the thing that sticks out because it’s been on the highlights as it ended up being a goal. “
Continued, with an accompanying highlight clip…
