The Detroit Red Wings selected Finnish-born defenceman Vili Saarijarvi in the third-round (73rd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. At first glance Saarijarvi might not appear that imposing on paper, listed at a non-threatening 5’10”, 165 pounds, but the Red Wings’ brass saw something in the young Finn that they liked.
Before coming over to North America Saarijarvi made a name for himself playing junior hockey in his native Finland. Vili helped the U18 Finland team reach the gold-medal game against Sweden during the World Junior Championship in 2014. Vili then caught the eye of the Red Wings while playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL where he led all Gamblers’ defencemen in scoring.