PensBurgh Top 25 Under 25: #13 - Emil Pieniniemi
The third and highest ranked Finnish defenseman on this year’s countdown
The 2024 version of our PensBurgh Top 25 Under 25 countdown rolls on with a third Finnish defenseman.
Graduates and departed players from last year’s list
The best of the rest
#25: Raivis Ansons
#24: Kirill Tankov
#23: Isaac Belliveau
#22: Taylor Gauthier
#21: Chase Pietila
#20: Emil Jarventie
#19: Kalle Kangas
#18: Joona Vaisanen
#17: Filip Kral
#16: Mac Swanson
#15: Jonathan Gruden
#14: Cruz Lucius
#13: Emil Pieniniemi
2023 Ranking: 9th
Age: 19 (Mar. 2, 2005)
Acquired Via: 2023 NHL Draft (Round 3 - No. 91 overall)
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 176 pounds
Emil Pieniniemi keeps on playing and keeps on playing well. As recently as two weeks ago at the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase hosted by the Americans, Pieniniemi was one of the top players for Finland. He was noticed and profiled by the Daily Faceoff after a three-point game.
#9 Emil Pieniniemi, D (Pittsburgh Penguins): His shot resulted in a trio of goals today, assisting on the 1-0 goal before scoring the second and third marks for the Finns. It seemed like he made things happen from the point, blasting shots from just about everywhere. I think Pieniniemi has gotten better with every passing game, and, for the most part, has been one of Finland’s better players.
The summer hockey only continues the ascension for Pieniniemi. He played most of 2023-24 in the top level Finnish league, and went to Wilkes-Barre this past April on an amateur tryout (he didn’t dress for any games).
All of those signs are extremely positive and show tangible progress being made by Pieniniemi. He has already signed his entry level contract with the Pens, but it is expected to slide again in 2024-25 when he returns to play another season in Finland.
At just 19, there is still plenty of runway to go before Pieniniemi approaches readiness and an NHL impact. He will have another year in Liiga and looks like a shoo-in to return for Finland’s U-20 WJC team this winter. The Pens will probably keep him busy and get him back in Wilkes in the spring.
From there, who knows what the future could hold. Pieniniemi may start his North American journey in 2025-26, when he’ll still be just 20-years old. As he grows into his early 20’s, he could (and maybe should at this rate) be developing into a bonafide NHL option as a good-sized defensive defender with a good stick that is capable in transition.
Pieniniemi isn’t the flashiest of prospects, but his talents and ability would be welcomed if he continues growing as he has since being drafted last summer. It hasn’t been a long time, but his progress and work to stand out and grow is in full gear as a long-term developmental project. His drop from 9th last year to 13th in this year’s countdown has only to do with the organization adding more young talent and speaks nothing to what has been a very positive period of his own growth and development.