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#92 Jesse Kiiskinen
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Pos: RW
D.O.B.: 8/23/05
From: Hollola, Fin
Height: 6'0
Weight: 187
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2023 draft 3rd rnd, 68th overall by Nashville
Acquired: Acquired from Nashville (NHL) 6/25/24 |
| Personal: |
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| Plus: Shoot first mentaility... Deceptive, heavy wrist shot with a quick release... Thrives in the high traffic area in front of the net... Great hand-eye coordination to tip pucks in net front role... Thrives on the forecheck, and relishes the physical game... Difficult to play against and relishes the role of gritty pest...
| | Minus: Skating while much improved remains a work in process... Can be rushed into to dumping the puck... |
| Organizational Comments: Red Wings Dir of Player Dev - Dan Cleary "He had good year in Finland. He came over 10 days prior to hang out with a couple of the other prospects and became friends, and became a little more familiar. He's a character. He had a good season in HPK, and we expect him to have another strong season;..." |
What GRC says: Fall 2026 Kiiskinen is making the full-time jump to North America for the 2026-27 season. After scoring 17 goals in 54 Liiga games for HPK last year, he transitioned across the Atlantic late in the spring, appearing in three regular-season games for the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) where he instantly recorded his first AHL goal and assist. He will begin the year in a top-nine role with the Griffins, serving as an important right-shot power-forward option on the power play. If his scoring touch adapts seamlessly to smaller North American rinks, his physical, bottom-six projectable archetype will make him an appealing call-up option for Detroit.
2025-26 Joining the Griffins as part of the late season influx of prospects, Kiiskinen arrived with plenty of anticipation - and he lived up to it. In just three games, he produced a goal and an assist while showing the competitiveness and maturity that made him such an intriguing addition. Kiiskinen immediately demonstrated his ability to battle into hard areas and generate scoring chances through effort and physical engagement. His forechecking stood out even more - he played a heavy, punishing style, finishing checks, disrupting breakouts, and forcing defenders into mistakes. His game translated seamlessly to the North American ice surface, where his grit and pace were noticeable every shift. What impressed most was how comfortable and assertive he looked right away. He didn't shy from contact, didn't hesitate in traffic, and consistently put himself in positions to make plays. For a late season arrival, he looked remarkably polished. Kiiskinen should be an exciting full time addition to the Griffins next season. With his blend of physicality, forechecking pressure, and scoring touch, he projects as a player who can make an immediate impact in a middle six role as he continues to develop.
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| Role: Two-way Winger |
| Projection: Bottom six Winger |
| Transactions |
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| 6/25/24 | Acquired by Detroit (NHL) from Nashville (NHL) |
| 6/3/25 | Signed 3 yr contract with Detroit (NHL) |
| 4/9/26 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 5/9/26 | Re-assigned to HPK (Sm-Liiga) |
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