Canadiens forward gets emotional saying goodbye after moving on to the Rangers

Veleno says leaving his hometown team never felt easy, even as he heads to a fresh start in New York.

The 25 year old forward signed a one year, $1.2 million deal with the Rangers on July 1, closing out a short but meaningful chapter with the team he grew up cheering for.

Veleno spent the past season wearing the CH after years bouncing between Detroit, Chicago and Seattle.

Getting the chance to suit up for his hometown Canadiens was something he always dreamed about as a kid, and he made sure everyone knew it before packing his bags for the Big Apple.

On Instagram, Veleno posted a heartfelt message thanking the organization, his teammates and especially the fans who stuck with him through every high and low.

He talked about the goosebumps he felt every time he stepped onto the ice at the Bell Centre wearing that jersey, and how living out a childhood dream is something words can barely capture.

Former teammates like Cole Caufield, Jakub Dobes, Noah Dobson and Arber Xhekaj all left messages wishing him well, a small reminder of how tight that Habs locker room really is.

In Montreal, Veleno carved out a role as a physical, energetic depth forward known for his forechecking and hard hits.

Now he gets a shot with a Rangers team looking to add grit down the middle.

Whether he can carry that same spark into Broadway remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his heart never left home.

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