Welcome to Top Shelf Prospects, a column showcasing the next generation of professional hockey players. Every day, LWOS Prospects writers will bring you new player profiles and hot topics leading up to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site and follow us! Ben Carrand Frederick Fransen Follow us on Twitter and spread the word about our analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports. Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new home for all things “NHL Draft”. Today we bring you the Aron Kiviharju Scouting Report.
One of the most unlucky players in the upcoming NHL draft is Aron Kiviharju. He had been in the conversation as a possible No. 1 overall pick for a while. Initially, that rating dropped a bit, but he was still seen as a top-three favorite. But after playing just seven games with HIFK in Finland's top division, a serious knee injury ruined his season. He only managed two points in those two games, but returned in time for the U18 Championship, where he recorded three assists in five games as Finland's captain. A decent performance, but not enough to get him back into the top 20 on major draft boards.
Aaron Kiviharju 2024 NHL Draft Scouting Report
Defenseman — Shoot Left
Born January 25, 2006 — Esbjerg, Denmark
Height 5’10″ — Weight 185 lbs. [177 cm / 84 kg]
skate
Injuries aside, the main thing that keeps Aaron Kiviharju from cracking the top five is his skating. It's unremarkable at best and lackluster at worst. His stride is awkward and stiff and he doesn't move smoothly. He has decent power, great edges, and decent top-end speed and agility, but he can get lost in races where he realistically needs to be first to the puck. His acceleration lacks explosiveness, and he's an undersized guy, so we expect a more modern puck-moving defenseman. Kiviharju is simply not that type of guy.
However, when it comes to his movement on the ice and how he transitions, he counters his weaker skating with a high hockey IQ. He's not a player that flies all over the ice, but he doesn't need to be. His vision, judgment, passing, and smooth handling allow him to have complete control on the breakout. He often wins the puck in his own zone and finds an outlet pass in an instant.
Aggressive Game
Some may be surprised he was even taken in the first round, given his weak skating, small size and injury history. But just about everything he does is great. His movement and edge allow him to command the offensive line with a maturity and poise well beyond his years. His awareness and IQ are higher than most NHL players, allowing him to see the game at a very high level. His passing is excellent, allowing him to slice through a defense with one smart pass.
His shooting isn't bad, but he does overuse it at times. Fewer blocked shots would be good for a player as smart as Kiviharju, but offensively that's the only negative. At most other levels, he's great because he always seems one step ahead of everyone. The biggest question over the next few years will be whether he can translate that strong offensive play into results in the Finnish league.
Defensive Game
Kiviharju is primarily an offensive defenseman, so it would be a mistake to think his defensive play would be a major concern. Although he does have some physical disadvantages due to his size, his game is very strong overall. His stick is very active, and his awareness and ability to read the game is again a step ahead of everyone else. He reads the play and is able to intercept passes or get into the shooting lane.
While he's small, he's fairly strong and capable of competing with older and bigger players down low, but that's not his forte, so he'll likely play more conservatively defensively and rely on gap control and an active stick.
Projection and Comparison
Aaron Kiviharju is a player to watch in the NHL Draft. In many ways, he may be the most make-or-break player in the draft. If all goes well, he has the potential and ceiling to be a top-pair defenseman on a Cup-winning team. On the other hand, injuries or immaturity in his skating could keep him from making the NHL. This is a very high-risk, high-reward pick. But for teams looking to take a chance in the late first round or even the second round, Kiviharju could be the perfect player with a chance to hit the jackpot in the draft.
In terms of style comparisons with Kiviharju, much of his skill set is similar to Jared Spurgeon. Both are small, but have great handles, vision and great IQs. They don't have elite skating, but they're smart puck movers. If Kiviharju can emulate the Minnesota Wild captain while staying healthy, he'd be a great pick. But it's a pick with a lot of ifs.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolt – USA TODAY Sports
