By Tony Abbott -
Minnesota Wild head scout Judd Brackett is as good as anyone in the NHL at taking the Draft Board gives him. He had to slightly maneuver up from Pick 13 to 12 to snag falling top defenseman Zeev Buium, but in doing so, he seized a tremendous amount of value while filling a top organizational need.
In the second round, the Wild once again took a talented falling player in Ryder Ritchie (Pick 45 overall), who scored nearly a point-per-game in the WHL despite injuries that hurt his draft stock. Still, Ritchie is a speedy, skilled winger that most considered to be a first-round talent.
Now in the fourth round, the Wild managed to drop 12 spots (from 110 to 122 overall), pick up gritty winger Jakub Lauko, and scoop up highly-skilled Finnish defenseman Aron Kiviharju.
Kiviharju has been considered an advanced prospect for quite a while, dominating the U20 circuit in Finland as a 15-and-16-year old. Over those two seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23), Kiviharju scored nine goals and 50 points in 57 games. He even played 23 games for TPS in Liiga, making his debut in the league at age-16. He notched three assists over those 23 games.
Injuries put Kiviharju on the shelf for most of the year, as he played just seven games for TPS this season. Still, he managed to Captain Finland's Under-18 World Junior squad, scoring three assists in five games. His U-18 WJC record is strong overall, though, scoring 16 points (all assists) in 16 games, while helping Team Finland win Bronze in 2022.
If Kiviharju's development wasn't interrupted and he took the next step in Liiga, the Wild might not have even been able to take him in the first-round, let alone the tail end of the fourth. Instead, Minnesota gets a defenseman who despite the injury and his 5-foot-9.5 height, still carried a second-round grade from most outlets.
Kiviharju is a left-shot defenseman, as is Buium, and his skill set shows some overlap with the first-rounder, as well. FC Hockey (who ranked him No. 35 in the class) says "Kiviharju is a dynamic defenseman known for his offensive capabilities and exceptional playmaking skills. He excels in puck movement, often initiating breakouts with precise and timely passes, making him invaluable in transition."
While fans can wonder whether both will be effective on the same roster, Brackett should be commended for picking up a first-round caliber player so late in the Draft. Talent is talent, and if fans want the "Best Player Available," they can't be mad at making the swing for value. Kiviharju also offers some insurance to the Wild if Buium doesn't quite work out as hoped, offering a similar skill set from the left side of the blueline. It's a savvy selection that should pay dividends for Minnesota down the road.
Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.
-
2
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.