Ville Husso Bio
Ville Husso is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently under contract to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL) and is assigned to the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on 6 February 1995 in Helsinki, Finland, Husso began his professional career in 2013 and has since played in Finland, the AHL, the ECHL, and the NHL. A left-catching goaltender standing 6 ft 3 in tall, he has been recognized as one of Finland’s promising netminders of his generation.
After rising through the youth ranks at HIFK in his hometown of Helsinki, Husso was selected 94th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He spent several seasons developing in North America’s minor leagues before establishing himself as an NHL starter with the Blues during the 2021–22 season. He later joined the Detroit Red Wings in 2022 and was traded to the Anaheim Ducks organization in February 2025. Internationally, he has represented Finland at the junior level, contributing to a gold medal at the 2014 World Junior Championships.
Early Life and Background
Ville Husso was born on 6 February 1995 in Helsinki, Finland, where he grew up surrounded by a strong ice hockey culture. From an early age, he joined the youth program at HIFK, one of the most historic clubs in Finnish hockey, and progressed steadily through its development system. The familiarity of his hometown club provided a stable environment in which he could refine the technical and mental demands of the goaltending position.
His development at HIFK exposed him to high-level coaching and competitive junior hockey in the Finnish system. By his late teens, Husso had earned the trust of the HIFK staff and was on track to make his professional debut with the men’s team. Standing 6 ft 3 in tall and catching left, he possessed the size and technical foundation that Finnish goaltending coaches have long valued at the position.
Path to Professional Hockey
Husso made his senior debut with HIFK during the 2013–14 Liiga season, beginning what would become a steady climb up the professional ranks. The following season, he continued to develop, and in 2015–16, he played a central role as HIFK reached the Liiga finals, where the club ultimately fell short to Tappara. That postseason run announced Husso as one of the top young goaltenders in Finland.
His performance during the 2015–16 Liiga campaign earned him the Urpo Ylönen Award as the Goaltender of the Year, reflecting his outstanding .927 save percentage and 1.91 goals against average. He also gained European club experience by competing in the Champions Hockey League with HIFK. That same year, the St. Louis Blues selected him 94th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, formally launching his North American trajectory.
Ville Husso Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Husso’s earliest professional seasons were spent establishing himself within HIFK’s senior lineup in the Finnish Liiga. During the 2015–16 season, he emerged as a difference-maker, backstopping HIFK to the Liiga finals while posting elite numbers in net. The Urpo Ylönen Award recognized his growth as a top-tier Finnish goaltender at a young age, and his Champions Hockey League appearances added valuable experience against varied European competition.
His play in Helsinki convinced NHL scouts that he was ready to transition to North America. On 10 May 2016, Husso signed a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues, ending his time in the Finnish league and beginning the next phase of his development.
St. Louis Blues Era (2016–2022)
After attending the Blues’ 2016 training camp, Husso was assigned to the American Hockey League affiliate Chicago Wolves on 29 September 2016. He made his North American debut on 15 October 2016 against the Grand Rapids Griffins before being reassigned to the ECHL’s Missouri Mavericks on 26 October. With the Mavericks, he thrived, earning his first professional shutout with 33 saves in a 4–0 victory over the Wichita Thunder on 23 December 2016, before returning to the Wolves later that month.
Following additional development time in the Blues’ system, Husso was re-signed to a one-year two-way contract extension on 20 July 2019. In the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, he earned his first NHL win on 31 January 2021, a 4–1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, and recorded his first NHL shutout on 12 May 2021, stopping the Minnesota Wild in a 4–0 win.
The 2021–22 season marked Husso’s true NHL breakthrough. Beginning the year as the backup to Jordan Binnington, he gradually took over the starting role and finished the regular season with a 25–7–6 record and a .919 save percentage. He started the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Blues against the Minnesota Wild, served as a backup during parts of the first round, and reclaimed the net during the second round against the Colorado Avalanche after Binnington was injured. The Blues were eliminated in six games, and Husso posted an .890 save percentage in the postseason.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2022–2025)
On 8 July 2022, Husso was traded at the NHL Entry Draft from the Blues to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a third-round pick. The Red Wings immediately signed him to a three-year, $14.25 million contract, signaling their confidence in him as a starting-caliber NHL goaltender. His Detroit debut on 14 October 2022 was a memorable one, as he made 29 saves to earn a shutout in a 3–0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
Over the following seasons, Husso’s role in Detroit fluctuated as the club worked through its goaltending plans. During the 2024–25 season, he was split between the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before being dealt by Detroit to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for future considerations on 25 February 2025. He was directly assigned to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL to continue his playing time.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2025–Present)
Husso joined the Anaheim Ducks organization in February 2025 as part of a goaltending reshuffle and was assigned to the San Diego Gulls to play regularly in the AHL. The move offered him an opportunity to rebuild his form in a familiar developmental role while remaining under contract to Anaheim. Working with the Ducks’ goaltending staff, he has focused on refining his game and positioning himself for potential NHL recall opportunities.
Playing Style and Strengths
Husso is recognized for his combination of size, technical positioning, and calm composure in high-pressure situations. His 6 ft 3 in frame allows him to cover the lower portion of the net effectively, while his left-catching style suits modern NHL systems that emphasize efficient movement and rebound control. Throughout his career, he has shown the ability to handle heavy shot volumes, an asset that has translated across Liiga, the AHL, the ECHL, and the NHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Husso’s career include his first professional shutout with the Missouri Mavericks in December 2016, his first NHL win in January 2021, his first NHL shutout in May 2021, and his NHL breakout campaign with the St. Louis Blues in 2021–22. Internationally, he was part of Finland’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2014 World Junior Championships, serving as a backup to Juuse Saros in two tournament appearances.
Ville Husso Career Statistics
Across his professional career, Ville Husso has competed in Finland’s Liiga, the Champions Hockey League, the ECHL, the American Hockey League, and the National Hockey League. He has recorded shutouts at every North American level, including his first NHL shutout against the Minnesota Wild in May 2021 and his Detroit debut shutout versus the Montreal Canadiens in October 2022.
Liiga Highlights
During his time with HIFK in the Liiga, Husso posted a .927 save percentage and a 1.91 goals against average in 2015–16, helping the club reach the Liiga finals against Tappara. He also represented HIFK in the Champions Hockey League, gaining experience against top European club sides.
Other Performances
In the ECHL with the Missouri Mavericks, Husso earned his first professional shutout and established himself as a reliable organizational goaltending prospect. In the AHL, he played for the Chicago Wolves, the Grand Rapids Griffins, and the San Diego Gulls, contributing steady goaltending throughout his development years.
Ville Husso Family
Personal Life
Ville Husso was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, where he developed his hockey skills within the well-known HIFK youth system. Details about his broader family and personal relationships are not publicly documented in verified sources. His career has been centered on his professional progression through Finnish and North American hockey.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season represents a fresh chapter for Ville Husso following his February 2025 trade from the Detroit Red Wings to the Anaheim Ducks organization. Assigned directly to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, he has prioritized steady playing time and consistent form while integrating into Anaheim’s goaltending depth chart. The arrangement positions him to compete for NHL opportunities as the season progresses.
Working under Anaheim’s goaltending staff, Husso has emphasized refining his technique and rebuilding confidence in a familiar developmental setting. With the Ducks continuing to evaluate their long-term goaltending pipeline, his performance in San Diego will play a significant role in determining his path back to the NHL. His experience as a former NHL starter with the Blues adds a layer of competition within the organization.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, the focus for Husso remains on consistency, health, and demonstrating the form that once made him a starter in St. Louis. A strong finish to the AHL campaign could open the door to NHL recall opportunities with the Anaheim Ducks as the season continues.
