Minnesota Wild select Aron Kiviharju No. 122 overall in 2024 NHL Draft

Credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff

On Saturday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, the Minnesota Wild took Aron Kiviharju in the fourth ound of the 2024 NHL Draft, No. 122 overall.

Kivharju was once viewed as one of the top prospects in this draft class, but after being limited to just 20 games in total this season, the Finnish defender’s stock has taken a bit of a plunge. However, Kiviharju is no stranger to playing against men and older competition as he has done throughout his youth.

During the 2023-24 campaign, Kiviharju appeared in seven games with HIFK of the LIIGA, where he posted one assist. He saw more action during the 2022-23 season where he split the year between TPS’ Liiga and U-20 teams, recording three points against pros and 20 points at the junior level.

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, rated Kiviharju No. 26 overall.

“After missing most of the season due to an injury, Kiviharju returned in time for the U-18s and had a fine, yet unspectacular tournament. That’s to be expected, given his significant time off, so it’s hard to say if he hurt or helped his stock. Once considered one of the top prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, he fell even before his injury, but I still think there’s top-pairing potential there. Kiviharju had some bumps in the road a year ago against men, but his upside as a minute-munching, puck-moving defender will still make teams interested”

The 18-year-old captained the Finnish national team at the U18 where he registered three assists in five games. This was Kiviharju’s third appearance for Finland at the U18s, and during the 2023 event, he had seven assists in five games and logged more than 24 minutes of ice time per night as Finland’s top player.

His 5-foot-10 frame is a cause for concern, especially when there’s no shortage of puck-moving defensemen available. But Kiviharju compares to that of Sam Girard, Alexandre Carrier and other smaller mobile defensemen who have carved out NHL careers thus far.

Kivharju is expected to play the 2024-25 regular season with HIFK.