Joe Veleno of Team Canada stomps on opponent's ankle in puck battle: 'That's beyond dirty'

Team Canada forward Joe Veleno came under fire Saturday for a dangerous play in the IIHF World Hockey Championship matchup against Switzerland.

Veleno, who is also with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, was in a backboard puck battle with Swiss forward Nico Niederreiter when he appeared to deliberately step on the player’s ankle to try to remove the puck.

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Goalie Leonardo Genoni, left, and Janis Moser of Switzerland battle for a puck with Joe Veleno of Canada at the ice hockey world championships in Riga, Latvia, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Roman Koksarov)

«That’s beyond dirty,» said one of the announcers as he analyzed the incident in a replay. «That’s terribly awful when you know exactly what you’re doing.»

It is unclear if Veleno will be suspended after the incident.

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«It doesn’t belong in our sport. You can’t do it. It’s too dangerous, the blades are extremely sharp,» Niederreiter said after the game, via Denik Sport. «He tried to go into battle to hurt me and almost broke my ankle. I’m very curious what the IIHF does about it. I hope they do a better job.»

Edmonton Oilers star Evander Kane was among those who reacted on social media.

Joe Veleno of Canada controls the puck against Switzerland during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on May 20, 2023 in Riga, Latvia.

«This is why fighting is needed in hockey, it discourages ideas like this and helps control the game effectively,» Kane tweeted. «Disgusting game to watch. Especially after my injury this year. Embarrassing.»

Detroit selected Veleno with the No. 30 overall pick in 2018. He made his debut during the 2020-21 season. He played 81 games in 2022-23 and scored nine goals and 11 points.