As Team USA Blue was battling Finland on Monday at the World Junior Summer Showcase, there was a subplot at work involving two Detroit Red Wings prospects.

Finland captain Jesse Kiiskinen and USA Hockey defenseman John Whipple were frequent combatants for parcels of ice and it became clear as the game continued that neither player was about to back down or give the other one an inch of space.

It led to some heated battles between the pair, which had to warm the cockles of any Red Wings fans in attendance. If there’s been one element that’s been found consistently wanting on the Detroit roster in recent seasons, it’s been locating hard-nosed players who were willing to not only go to the dirty areas on the ice, but were also willing to arrive at those spots in ill humor.

For both Kiiskinen and Whipple, that’s a way of life. In fact, it’s the only way they know how to play the game.

“Just trying to be as mean as I can and shut plays down,” was how Whipple described his style.

Preds’ 68th overall pick Jesse Kiiskinen on his game and the NHL players he most enjoys to watch. pic.twitter.com/fbUmpKinPQ

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) June 29, 2023

Kiiskinen also takes pride in being a thorn in the opposition’s side.

“That’s what I do,” Kiiskinen said. “I like that. I feel confident when I hit the boards and hit the other guy. Everything like that.

“In front of the net, the battles, I like those battles.”

Red Wings Prospects Going At It

It’s funny how players of that ilk tend to find each other on the ice. That was certainly the case with Whipple and Kiiskinen.

Kiiskinen was setting up camp at the USA net front in the second period when Whipple welcomed him to the neighborhood with a harsh cross check to the back. The two ended up jousting and Whipple wound up earning a minor penalty.

They’d clash again in the dying moments of the game, perhaps letting out steam from their ongoing showdown. .In this instance, both were handed sin bin sitdowns – Kiiskinen for cross-checking and Whipple for high-sticking.

John Whipple is headed to Detroit!

Congratulations! 〽️ pic.twitter.com/CZSmNIOk9f

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) June 29, 2024

Afterward, they were surprised to discover that their NHL futures are both tied to the Red Wings.

“Is he?” Whipple was astonished to learn. “I didn’t know that.”

Whipple was the 144th overall selection by Detroit in the 2024 NHL entry draft. Kiiskinen was acquired from the Nashville Predators in an offseason trade.

Monday, though, they were simply rugged hockey players wearing opposing jerseys. Although someday, there’s a realistic chance that they’ll both wind up on the same team, wearing the same jersey.

And in the hockey world, all past transgressions will be forgiven.

“Yeah, probably,” Kiiskinen said with a shrug.