Top NHL Draft prospect out for extended time after surgery

Per EliteProspects’ Lassi Alanen, top prospect Aron Kiviharju suffered an injury at practice that will require surgery. The recovery will hold him out for roughly four months. This will likely keep him from participating in the end of the year’s World Juniors tournament, one of the top events for U20 players.

This is a serious blow to Kiviharju’s draft year. Once considered maybe the outright best player in this draft class, Kiviharju’s esteem has stumbled following a slow start to the season. He’s scored two points through HIFK’s first seven games this year, including his first Liiga goal, while averaging just under 13-and-a-half minutes per game. That’s a slight bump from the 12:56 average time on ice he experienced in 21 Liiga games last season, although he still isn’t coming close to a top-four role with his pro team.

Kiviharju has added another two points in six games with Finland’s U20 national team this season. Playing against his peers internationally was where Kiviharju performed best last year, recording seven points in five games at the World U18 Championship tournament and 19 points over a cumulative 17 games with the national U18 squad. Finland didn’t bring the talented defender to the World Juniors last season, meaning this upcoming year would have been his chance to debut on the biggest stage. Missing out on that opportunity is a big blow, as many NHL scouts rely on the World Juniors to show how prospects sit relative to the rest of their age group.

With no World Juniors in sight, fans looking to see Kiviharju play internationally will likely have to wait until April’s World U18 Championship tournament. Even then, questions about how he can rebound from a long-term injury will likely surround any future performances. Once a top prospect in the class, Kiviharju could be at risk of sliding down draft boards with news of this injury. With a four-month recovery window, the 17-year-old defenseman won’t be back until February. And he’ll be a player to watch as soon as he’s back on the ice.