Miro Heiskanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who serves as a defenseman and alternate captain for the Dallas Stars in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Born on July 18, 1999, in Espoo, Finland, he stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 197 pounds.
Heiskanen shoots left and has established himself as one of the premier young defensemen in the league since entering the NHL.
Known for his smooth skating, hockey intelligence, calm demeanor on the ice, and ability to contribute offensively while remaining reliable defensively, he has become a cornerstone of the Stars’ blue line.
Siblings
Miro has one older sister named Miira Heiskanen. She has pursued studies in social work in Finland.
While Miro’s hockey career has placed him in the international spotlight, his family, including his sister, has remained supportive from afar, with his parents and sister often waking up early to watch his games.
Heiskanen grew up in a close-knit family in Espoo, where his parents, Jukka Heiskanen and Mia Mattinen, encouraged his early passion for sports, including both hockey and soccer.
Career
Heiskanen began his hockey journey in the youth programs of Espoo Blues before joining HIFK in the Finnish Liiga.
He quickly rose through the ranks, making his professional debut as a teenager.
In the 2017-18 season with HIFK, he delivered an outstanding performance, recording 23 points in 30 games and becoming the youngest player ever to win the Pekka Rautakallio Award as the Liiga’s best defenseman at just 18 years old.
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The Dallas Stars selected Heiskanen with the third overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, recognizing his elite potential among European skaters.
He made the leap to the NHL for the 2018-19 season and immediately impressed, playing all 82 games as a rookie, scoring 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points, and earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team.
His first NHL goal came on October 25, 2018, against the Anaheim Ducks, marking him as one of the youngest defensemen to score in franchise history.
Over the following seasons, Heiskanen has consistently logged heavy minutes, often leading the Stars in time on ice while contributing at even strength, on the power play, and penalty kill.
He signed an eight-year, $67.6 million contract extension in 2021, reflecting the organization’s commitment to him as a franchise player.
He has helped lead Dallas to multiple deep playoff runs, including a trip to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, where he set records for playoff production by a Finnish defenseman.
By the mid-2020s, he had climbed into the top 10 in Stars franchise history for goals, assists, and points among defensemen.
Heiskanen has also represented Finland internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Championship and participating in World Juniors, Olympics, and other tournaments as a teenager.
Accolades
In Finland, he earned the Yrjö Hakala Award in junior hockey and the prestigious Pekka Rautakallio Trophy as Liiga’s top defenseman in 2018.
Upon entering the NHL, he was named to the 2019 NHL All-Rookie Team and selected to the 2019 NHL All-Star Game as one of the youngest participants.
Internationally, he was named Best Defenseman and to the All-Star Team at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship (U18 level).
While he has yet to capture the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, he has received consideration in voting and is frequently discussed as a candidate due to his all-around play and high usage.
Heiskanen has also been recognized for his consistency, including strong plus-minus ratings and leadership as an alternate captain for the Stars.
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