Off the Post: 2018 NHL Combine Interviews – Joe Veleno & Ty Smith – The 2018 Stanley Cup Final may be in full swing, but aside from the Washington Capitals and the Las Vegas Golden Knights, every other NHL squad is squarely focused on the 2018 Draft. The 2018 NHL Combine was held in Buffalo, NY this past week, and Russ Cohen was on site to get the perspectives from a few of this year’s prospects.
Check out Russ’ 2018 NHL Draft Top 31 Prospects List HERE.
Joe Veleno – C – Drummondville – QMJHL – Currently #17 on Russ’ prospect list, the Montreal native currently plays for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. He became the first player from Quebec to be granted “exceptional status” allowing him to play as a 15-year old in major junior hockey. He played for the Saint John Sea Dogs from 2015-17, and was traded to Drummondville in December, 2018. In 33 games with the Voltigeurs this season, Veleno scored 48 points with 16 goals and 32 assists. In 10 playoff games, he scored 11 points with five goals and six assists.
Joe Veleno already has a good number of pre-draft hockey cards available on the market. You can find him in Leaf products such as 2017 Metal Sports Heroes, 2016-17 In The Game Heroes & Prospects and 2017-18 In The Game Used Hockey. He’s also featured in 2017-18 Upper Deck CHL wearing his St. John Sea Dogs uniform.
Ty Smith – D – Spokane Chiefs – WHL – Smith sits at #10 on Russ’ prospect list. The 5’10” Defenseman from Alberta has played for the Spokane Chiefs from 2015 to 2018. In two seasons from 2016-2018, he has scored 74 points with 11 goals and 63 assists. Scouts praise his “exceptional hockey sense” and ability to join the attack and create chances for his teammates.
You can find Smith’s cards in Leaf products such as 2017 Metal Hockey and 2016-17 In The Game Heroes & Prospects. You’ll also find his cards in 2017-18 Upper Deck CHL and 2017-18 Upper Deck Team Canada Juniors.
Here is a look at some of Veleno & Smith’s cards as they talk about their NHL Combine experience with our own Russ Cohen. You can listen to the Off the Post podcast HERE.
Off the Post: 2018 NHL Combine Interviews – Joe Veleno & Ty Smith – Image Gallery
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