After signing new contract, Veleno preparing for camp with 'clear mind'

DETROIT -- Joe Veleno is officially back with the Detroit Red Wings for the 2023-24 season.

On Tuesday, Detroit announced it re-signed Veleno to a one-year contract. The 23-year-old forward had been the Red Wings' last remaining unsigned restricted free agent this offseason.

"It took a little while to get it done," Veleno told DetroitRedWings.com. "We were going back and forth with conversations, but it's out of the way. I have a really clear mind right now in terms of working out and preparing myself for training camp."

Veleno, who was selected 30th overall by the Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, said he feels like he has a lot to prove this season, and he's excited for the opportunity.

"I want to have a big year," Veleno said. "I feel really good this summer and even better than I did last year. I have been gaining a lot of experience over the last two years, so I feel confident heading into this season. In terms of expectations, I set the bar high for myself. It's an important year for me."

Veleno finished his first full campaign in Detroit last season with NHL career-highs in goals (nine), assists (11), points (20) and games played (81). In 2021-22, the 6-foot-1, 203-pound forward recorded 15 points (8-7-15) in 66 games for the Red Wings and 10 points (6-4-10) in 11 contests with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins.

"I took strides forward last year and improved in a lot of areas of my game," Veleno said. "I think now, it's just taking that next step and getting to the next level. This year, I am prepared to do that. I feel good about myself and my game."

Fellow forward Andrew Copp said Veleno, whom he considers one of his closest friends on the team, really impressed him last season.

"I thought Joe took massive steps this year," Copp said in April. "He was a guy that maybe I was a little hard on in the beginning because you see the talent, skating ability, assists per game and his skill level. It's all there."

Veleno has been working to improve his "finishing touch" this summer so he can earn a bigger role in Detroit's offense.

"Detroit gave me an itinerary of some stuff they wanted me to work on," Veleno said. "I've been getting a lot of reps in and working on that. I think a big part of my game I want to improve is my production level, things like capitalizing grade-A chances. I feel like I need to score off those opportunities that you don't see too often in a game."

When the Red Wings open training camp next month in Traverse City, Mich., the club will look a lot different than it did a year ago. For Veleno, being part of what Detroit is building has him eager to take the ice with his teammates, both new and old.

"We added a lot of depth and talented players," Veleno said. "I think everyone is really excited to see what we can do this year. We've been taking steps over the years and have some good pieces now. I'm really excited to start meeting these guys and play alongside them. It should be fun."