The Dallas Stars have secured their first-round pick of the 2024 NHL Draft by signing defenseman Emil Hemming to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will commence in the 2024-25 NHL season, although the team hasn’t specified where Hemming will play next season.
Hemming recently completed his first professional season with TPS in the Finnish Liiga, playing 40 games and tallying seven goals and 11 points. He also played 13 games with TPS U20 in the U20 SM-sarja, where he recorded 11 goals and 18 points.
Among all defensive prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, Hemming is noted for having one of the best shots from the blue line. The Vaasa, Finland native was outstanding internationally, scoring seven goals and 11 points in nine games for Finland’s U18 team and two goals and eight points in eight games for the U20 team.
Hemming is expected to return to TPS for the 2024-25 season, but he might join the Stars’ AHL affiliate in Texas later in the season. As a right-handed defenseman, Hemming has the potential to be a long-term partner to Finnish defenseman Miro Heiskanen on the Stars’ blue line.
While Hemming’s shot is deemed NHL-ready, he may benefit from a few more years of professional play to adapt to the game’s speed and responsibilities.
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