Aaron Kahn Director of Hockey Operations | Detroit Red Wings Website
Aaron Kahn Director of Hockey Operations | Detroit Red Wings Website
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have acquired the Tampa Bay Lightning’s second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and forward Jesse Kiiskinen from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Andrew Gibson. Subsequently, the Red Wings traded Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and defenseman Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks for future considerations.
Kiiskinen, 18, spent most of the 2023-24 season with the Lahti Pelicans in Finland’s highest professional league, recording 10 points (4-6-10) and eight penalty minutes in 38 regular-season games. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound forward also played in six postseason contests with the Pelicans, helping them reach the championship round for a second consecutive season. Additionally, he tallied one goal in six Champions Hockey League games with the Pelicans. Kiiskinen also played with the Pelicans’ under-20 squad during 2023-24, logging 21 points (14-7-21), a plus-13 rating and six penalty minutes in eight regular-season games, along with three assists in three playoff matchups in Finland’s top junior league.
Originally selected by Nashville in the third round (68th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Kiiskinen made his professional debut with the Pelicans in 2022-23, tallying one assist, a plus-two rating and two penalty minutes over seven games. He also appeared once for Peliitat Heinola in Finland’s second-highest professional league during that season. Kiiskinen accumulated 43 points (20-23-43), a plus-12 rating and eight penalty minutes across 31 games with the Pelicans’ under-20 squad during 2022-23, along with two points (1-1-2) at the under-18 level. In total, he has compiled 89 points (47-42-89) over 79 games with Pelicans’ under-20 team, as well as significant contributions at both under-18 and under-16 levels.
Internationally, Kiiskinen represented Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Championship where he recorded five points (3–2–5) over five games and was named one of his country’s top three performers. He also secured a bronze medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup by collecting four points (2–2–4) over five appearances.
Jesse Kiiskinen
Right Wing
Born Aug. 23, 2005 -- Hollola, Finland
Height: 6'02" -- Weight: 197 lbs -- Shoots: Right
Selected by Nashville Predators round three #68 overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft
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