Red Wings Prospect Named To Finnish World Championship Preliminary Roster

Jesse Kiiskinen’s future with the Detroit Red Wings may still be up in the air. That isn’t stopping his future from getting brighter every day.

Finland recently was announcing the country’s preliminary roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championship. And right there amidst the 24 players on the list was the name of Kiiskinen. He was assigned jersey No. 27.

Jesse Kiiskinen joins the Lions' World Championship camp!

The Finnish A national team is starting preparations for the World Cup and HPK's Jesse Kiiskinen has been selected to participate in the World Cup camp. #LGRW https://t.co/YKyKO2tnNL

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) April 4, 2025

Now, it’s important to keep in mind that this is the preliminary roster. It consists entirely of Finnish players currently playing in the top European leagues. Many of these players will be dropped as Finnish NHLers make a commitment to participate in the worlds.

You may remember a few years back that current Red Wings forward Elmer Soderblom was part of Sweden’s preliminary roster following his final season playing in Europe. As Swedish NHL players were joining the squad, Soderblom was ultimately dropped.

Red Wings Prospect Will Get Senior International Experience

Regardless of the ultimate outcome, this is still good news for Kiiskinen on a number of fronts. He will definitely be participating against other European nations in pre-tournament games, gaining experience facing top European players.

His selection also means that Kiiskinen is being viewed as one of the top players currently performing in Finland’s SM-liiga. This season with HPK, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-winger was the club’s leading scorer with 14-30-44 totals. At the World Juniors, Kiiskinen helped Finland win the silver medal. He led the team with six goals in seven games.

🚨That didn't take long! Jesse Kiiskinen strikes on the powerplay! We have a tie game again! #USAFIN #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/g54bOIyLPy

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 29, 2024

Kiiskinen has already skated two full seasons in Finland’s top pro league, feeling it will make his transition to the North American pro game go more smoothly.

“When I get harder battles, it’s much different than what we play in juniors,” he told DHN. “The guys are bigger and stronger and the game is faster and more tactics.”

A gritty performer who likes to work the corners and drive the net front, Kiiskinen owns a heavy shot. The Red Wings were acquiring his rights last year in a trade with the Nashville Predators. He was the 68th overall choice in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Detroit has until June 1, 2027 to decide whether to sign Kiiskinen to an NHL contract. He has one year remaining on his contract with HPK.