The Dallas Stars used their 2024 first-round draft pick on Finnish forward Emil Hemming, and writer Adam Proteau says Hemming will feel right at home as part of a Stars organization that has always valued what Finnish players bring to the table.

The Dallas Stars are one of the deepest, most talented and well-balanced teams in the NHL. But part of the job of Stars GM Jim Nill is to ensure the pipeline of talent that comes into hockey’s top league finds its way into a Stars uniform – and he’s had a great deal of success dipping into the wellspring of talent from Finland’s pool of prospects. Following in those footsteps, in this summer’s draft, Nill and his management team used their 29th-overall pick to select forward Emil Hemming from Finland’s top professional league.

The 18-year-old Hemming, who quickly signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Stars, posted seven goals and 11 points in 40 regular-season games for TPS Turku of the Finnish elite league in 2023-24, ranking ninth among that league’s rookies in points. 

The Vaasa, Finland native also played 13 games for TPS’ under-20 team, generating 11 goals and 18 points in that span. And Hemming also represented Finland at the 2024 IIHF under-18 World Championship, leading the team in goals (four) and finishing third on the squad in points (six). The Stars have a wealth of talent at all main positions, but with fellow Finns Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell on board, Hemming should feel right at home in the organization.

In his top 120 draft player rankings, THN prospect expert and editor-in-chief Ryan Kennedy ranked Hemming the 23rd-best player available in the draft. Fellow THN prospect expert Tony Ferarri made note of Hemming’s solid two-way game, and the fact he wasn’t afraid of the physical element of the sport, to help separate him from the pack of youngsters eligible to be drafted. The Stars’ identity as a terrific, energetic squad that's responsible at both ends of the ice makes them a perfect fit for Hemming, who doesn’t have to jump to the NHL anytime soon.

Dallas’ draft and development team has proven especially adept at bringing prospects along in their own due time, and Hemming now can work on honing his craft without worrying about his status in the organization. He probably needs at least a couple years to get to the NHL level, but clearly, the Stars believe he’s capable of achieving great things down the line. Hemming’s size – he’s currently 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds – gives him a fighting chance to be a high-impact NHLer, and now the onus is on him and the Stars organization to groom him into peak form.

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