Canada’s Joe Veleno suspended one game at world juniors for head butting

Team Canada forward Joe Veleno has been suspended one game for head butting. (Ryan Remiorz/CP)

Team Canada centre Joe Veleno has been suspended one game at the World Junior Hockey Championships for head butting. The 19-year-old will miss Canada’s game against Germany on Monday.

According to a statement from the IIHF, the incident occurred halfway through the second period of Saturday’s 6-0 loss to Russia. After Veleno was knocked to the ice in a scrum in front of Canada’s net, he got up and head butted Russia’s Danil Misyul twice. The statement adds that the fact Misyul was not hurt on the play did not play a factor in the decision to suspend.

The suspension was handed down by the IIHF Disciplinary Panel and Veleno is eligible to return for Canada’s round robin finale against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Veleno is the second Canadian forward to be ruled out for the game against Germany. Alexis Lafreniere, a top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft, will miss the game with a knee injury he suffered against Russia.

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