Epic fight between two Detroit Red Wings prospects during World Junior Summer
As Team USA Blue faced Finland on Monday at the World Junior Summer Showcase, a notable subplot unfolded involving two Detroit Red Wings prospects, John Whipple and Jesse Kiiskinen.
Finland captain Jesse Kiiskinen and USA Hockey defenseman John Whipple frequently clashed, neither backing down nor conceding space.
Their heated battles would have thrilled any Red Wings fans in attendance, as Detroit has often lacked hard-nosed players willing to go to the dirty areas on the ice and engage physically. For Kiiskinen and Whipple, this aggressive style is second nature.
«Just trying to be as mean as I can and shut plays down,» Whipple said, while Kiiskinen expressed his enjoyment of physical play, stating, «I like that. I feel confident when I hit the boards and hit the other guy. In front of the net, the battles, I like those battles.»
During the game, Kiiskinen set up in front of the USA net and was met with a harsh cross-check from Whipple, leading to jousting and a minor penalty for Whipple. Their clashes continued throughout the game, culminating in mutual penalties late in the contest.
After the game, Whipple was surprised to learn they both belonged to the Red Wings organization. Detroit drafted Whipple 144th overall in 2024, while Kiiskinen was acquired from the Nashville Predators in an offseason trade. Despite their current rivalry, they may soon be teammates, with past transgressions quickly forgotten.
Source: DetHockeyNow
Red Wings Prospects Stage Epic Battle in USA-Finland Game
| POLL | ||
Who do you think between these two prospects will play in the NHL first? | ||
| John Whipple | 13 | 36.1 % |
| Jesse Kiiskinen | 23 | 63.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
