For better or for worse, Joe Veleno has been defined by the exceptional status he was granted at just 15 years old. It was something that gave him an early entry into the QMJHL draft, putting him on the radar of NHL fans very early on.
Exceptional status evokes ... well, exceptional abilities. In the past, it was given to players like Connor McDavid, John Tavares, and Aaron Ekblad who were extremely dominant. These players all ended up being drafted first overall by an NHL team.
It was also awarded to Sean Day, who besides his great skating ability, wasn't even in the same league as the previously mentioned in terms of talent.