Ville Husso Bio
Ville Husso is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Helsinki, Finland on 6 February 1995, Husso began his professional career in 2013 and has developed into a reliable NHL-caliber goaltender through stints with the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings. His journey from Finnish Liiga standout to NHL regular represents a patient development path that culminated in a breakout 2021-22 season that established him as a legitimate starting goaltender in the world’s top hockey league.
Early Life and Background
Ville Husso was born on 6 February 1995 in Helsinki, Finland. Growing up in Finland’s capital city, he developed his goaltending skills within the HIFK organization, one of Finland’s most storied hockey clubs. His early exposure to competitive hockey in Helsinki provided him with a strong foundation for his future career. As a young goaltender, Husso honed his craft in Finland’s respected junior hockey system, which has produced numerous NHL talents over the years.
Husso attended school while pursuing his hockey dreams, balancing his education with the demanding schedule of aspiring professional athletes. The Finnish hockey system emphasizes technical development and tactical awareness in young players, attributes that would become hallmarks of Husso’s playing style. His progression through the HIFK youth ranks demonstrated the potential that would eventually attract attention from NHL scouts.
Path to Professional Hockey
Husso advanced through HIFK’s development pipeline and earned a spot with the club’s men’s team during the 2013-14 Liiga season, marking his transition to professional hockey. The Finnish Liiga is regarded as one of Europe’s top hockey leagues, providing Husso with valuable experience against seasoned professionals while still a teenager. His performances in Liiga action caught the attention of NHL scouts, particularly his size, athleticism, and composure in the crease.
His most impressive Liiga season came in 2015-16 when Husso backstopped HIFK to the Liiga finals, where the team ultimately fell short against Tappara. Despite the championship loss, Husso’s individual performance was exceptional, as he posted a save percentage of .927 and a goals-against average of just 1.91. These outstanding numbers earned him the Urpo Ylönen Award, recognizing him as Liiga’s Goaltender of the Year. He also gained international experience during this period by competing in the Champions Hockey League with HIFK, further developing his game against European competition.
Ville Husso Career
Early Professional Career (2013-2016)
After establishing himself as one of Liiga’s top goaltenders with HIFK, Husso took the significant step of pursuing an NHL career. His strong performances in Finland, capped by his Urpo Ylönen Award-winning 2015-16 season, positioned him as an attractive prospect for NHL teams. The St. Louis Blues selected Husso with the 94th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, recognizing his potential as a future NHL goaltender.
Following his draft year, Husso continued his development in Finland before officially beginning his North American professional career. On 10 May 2016, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues, committing to the next phase of his hockey journey. After attending the Blues’ 2016 training camp, he was assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, on 29 September 2016 to continue his development in North America.
St. Louis Blues Breakthrough (2016-2022)
Husso made his North American professional debut with the Chicago Wolves on 15 October 2016 against the Grand Rapids Griffins. He appeared in two games with the Wolves during the early portion of the 2016-17 season before being reassigned to the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL on 26 October 2016. The demotion to the ECHL provided Husso with an opportunity to gain valuable game action and confidence, and he responded well to the assignment.
With the Missouri Mavericks, Husso thrived in net and demonstrated the abilities that had made him a highly regarded prospect. On 23 December 2016, he recorded his first professional shutout, making 33 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Wichita Thunder. He returned to the Chicago Wolves in late December 2016 and continued his strong play, posting a save percentage of .925 and a goals-against average of 2.21 through five games. On 20 July 2019, the Blues re-signed Husso to a one-year, two-way contract extension, indicating their continued confidence in his development.
The pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season marked a turning point in Husso’s NHL career. On 31 January 2021, he recorded his first NHL victory in a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Less than two months later, on 12 May 2021, Husso recorded his first NHL shutout with a 4-0 win against the Minnesota Wild. These milestones established him as a viable NHL goaltender and set the stage for his breakout campaign.
The 2021-22 season proved to be Husso’s coming-out party in the NHL. Beginning the season as the backup goaltender to Jordan Binnington, his role expanded significantly when Binnington struggled with consistency. By season’s end, Husso had taken over the starting position, finishing with an impressive 25-7-6 record and a .919 save percentage. His performance raised questions about the Blues’ goaltending future, given Binnington’s lengthy and expensive contract, while Husso was set to become a restricted free agent. In the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Husso started in net during the first round against the Minnesota Wild. After inconsistent performances in the early games, Binnington reclaimed the starting role and led the team to a series victory. When Binnington suffered an injury during the second round against the Colorado Avalanche, Husso returned to the crease but could not prevent the Blues from being eliminated in six games. He finished the postseason with an .890 save percentage.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2022-2025)
On 8 July 2022, Husso’s tenure with the St. Louis Blues ended when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a third-round draft pick at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Immediately upon joining the Red Wings, he signed a three-year contract worth $14.25 million, a significant raise that reflected his status as a proven NHL starter. The trade represented a new beginning for Husso, who would have an opportunity to serve as a franchise goaltender for a historic Original Six organization.
Husso made an immediate impression with his new team. In his regular season debut with Detroit on 14 October 2022, he stopped 29 shots to earn a shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The strong debut established his credentials as the Red Wings’ number one goaltender and generated optimism about his fit with the organization. Throughout the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, Husso served as Detroit’s primary starter, providing the team with consistent goaltending as they attempted to rebuild into a playoff contender.
Anaheim Ducks Transition (2025-Present)
During the final season of his contract with the Red Wings in 2024-25, Husso’s trajectory with the organization changed significantly. He split the season between the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. On 25 February 2025, Detroit traded Husso to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for future considerations. Upon joining the Ducks organization, he was directly assigned to the AHL level and reported to the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ minor league affiliate. This move represented a fresh start for Husso as he looked to establish himself within the Ducks’ system and work toward earning a permanent NHL roster spot.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ville Husso is known for his imposing 6-foot-3 frame, which allows him to take up significant net presence and block scoring angles. His size combined with quick reflexes makes him effective against high-quality scoring chances. Husso plays the position with calm and composure, rarely appearing rattled even during high-pressure situations. His technical foundation, developed through Finland’s structured goaltending instruction, provides him with sound positioning and efficient movement within the crease. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to steal games for his team through timely saves and consistent performance.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Husso’s most significant career milestones are winning the Urpo Ylönen Award as Liiga’s Goaltender of the Year in 2016, recording his first NHL win on 31 January 2021, and earning his first NHL shutout less than two months later. His 25-win season with the St. Louis Blues in 2021-22 represented his most productive NHL campaign and solidified his reputation as a legitimate starting goaltender. His Opening Night shutout with the Detroit Red Wings in October 2022 provided a memorable start to his tenure with that organization. He also represented Finland internationally as a member of the gold-winning junior team at the 2014 World Junior Championships, serving as backup goaltender to fellow Finnish standout Juuse Saros.
Ville Husso Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career spanning multiple leagues and organizations, Ville Husso has accumulated impressive statistics that reflect his status as a capable starting goaltender. His Liiga career showcased his talent with a save percentage exceeding .920 and a goals-against average under 2.00 during his award-winning season. In the NHL, his breakthrough 2021-22 campaign with 25 wins and a .919 save percentage demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level.
NHL Highlights
Ville Husso has established himself as a reliable NHL goaltender with over 50 career wins at the sport’s highest level. His most successful NHL season came with the St. Louis Blues in 2021-22, when he posted a 25-7-6 record while backing up and eventually supplanting Jordan Binnington as the team’s starter. He has recorded multiple NHL shutouts, with his first coming against the Minnesota Wild in May 2021. His debut season with the Detroit Red Wings featured an immediate shutout victory over the Montreal Canadiens, demonstrating his ability to transition successfully to new organizations.
International and Junior Achievements
Husso’s international career includes a gold medal with Finland at the 2014 World Junior Championships, where he served as the backup goaltender to Juuse Saros. He made two appearances during the tournament, contributing to Finland’s success on the international stage. His performance in the Finnish Liiga, particularly his Urpo Ylönen Award in 2016, established him as one of the top goaltenders in European hockey before his transition to North America.
Ville Husso Family
Personal Life
Ville Husso has maintained a private personal life throughout his professional career. Born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, he pursued hockey from a young age while attending school in his hometown. His Finnish heritage and upbringing in one of Europe’s premier hockey markets provided him with a strong foundation for his professional aspirations. Information regarding his family background, including his parents and any siblings, has not been made publicly available, as Husso prefers to keep such details private. As of 2025, he remains focused on his hockey career following his trade to the Anaheim Ducks organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season represented a transitional year for Ville Husso. Splitting time between the Detroit Red Wings and their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, Husso faced challenges in maintaining consistent performance at the NHL level. The mid-season trade to the Anaheim Ducks on 25 February 2025 provided him with an opportunity for a fresh start within a new organization. Upon joining the Ducks, he was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, where he continues to work toward earning a permanent NHL roster spot. His 2025 outlook centers on establishing himself within the Ducks’ system and demonstrating the abilities that made him a 25-game winner with the St. Louis Blues. The move to the Western Conference with a younger Ducks roster offers Husso an opportunity to compete for regular playing time and contribute to the development of a rising NHL team.