For the Stars and Emil Hemming, playing in the OHL is an attempt better control development

A look at the Stars newest first rounder and why he's playing in North America and not Finland this coming season.

Monday was my first in-person viewing for Dallas Stars 2024 first-round pick Emil Hemming, and because of the circumstances it was hard to get a good read on the Finnish forward at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

The American team dominated from the start, outshooting the Finns 17-4 in the first period, and Finland took five penalties. It was a disjointed, ugly game, and while Hemming had some flashes, it was hard to find any consistency in his ice time or play with the amount of time Finland was shorthanded.

You can tell when isolating on him that he understands the offensive game, and while he hasn’t generated much through two games at the summer showcase, the Americans did overly cover him on the Finnish power play, respecting a well-known heavy shot.