Grand Rapids, Mich. — Grand Rapids Griffins forward Jesse Kiiskinen has jumped to the top of the American Hockey League rookie scoring race just five games into the season.
The 21-year-old Finn leads AHL rookies in points and goals with five goals and two assists. Among all skaters, he is tied for second in goals and tied for fourth in points.
His four-point game in the Griffins win over the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena included his first AHL hat trick, the first by a Griffins rookie since Tyler Bertuzzi in the 2016 playoffs. He had already scored twice earlier this season in a 5-4 overtime loss to Erie on Oct. 4.
Kiiskinen first drew attention in 2024-25, when he posted 44 points in 46 games for HPK in Finland and helped Finland win a silver medal at the 2025 World Junior Championship. The Detroit Red Wings acquired him from Nashville in exchange for defense prospect Andrew Gibson.
The last Griffins rookie to record four points in a game was Simon Edvinsson in February 2023.
