Many teams passed on Aiden Fink in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, but the Nashville Predators didn't, and now they're reaping the benefits.
While scouts struggled to get past size, former Predators General Manager David Poile saw nothing but potential, and he was right. Hobey Baker Finalist and program record holder are just a couple of things Fink has accomplished since draft night, and after signing his entry-level contract in April, he's ready to continue proving doubters wrong.
He joined the Predators in their final practice of the 2025-26 season, and while he wasn't able to play a game due to Visa issues, he made every moment count.
"It's been awesome," Fink told local reporters in his media availability. "Just being in an environment like this, learning new stuff, it's been unbelievable. I'm super excited."
His arrival in Nashville was one few scouts expected. Three years ago, Fink was one of the top players in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Brooks Bandits, scoring a league-leading 97 points, but even then, scouts weren't too high on him. His 5-foot-9, 152-pound frame played a huge role in why his draft stock was low.
Fink's final ranking was 63rd among NA skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Despite the initial projection, he wouldn't hear his name called until pick 218 in the seventh round. It was here that the league heard Poile make his final selection ever, "For my last pick of all-time, this is the player: Aiden Fink, from Brooks."
It was official. Fink had done what only a few AJHL players have done in their careers: get drafted into the NHL. The mission wasn't done. He still had a few years to add to his frame and prepare for his NHL debut.
The next step to answering questions started in Pennsylvania. While getting drafted validated years of hard work, Fink understood that his future would be dedicated by what he did with Penn State, not by who drafted him.
In his first season with the Nittany Lions, Fink continued to produce at a high rate, scoring 15 goals and 34 points in 34 games. The transition from junior to collegiate hockey isn't an easy one, but he made it look easy. What scouts predicted would slow him down, his size, clearly wasn't an issue as Fink did nothing but perform under the pressure of grown men surrounding him on the ice.
If his freshman year proved that he belonged, then his sophomore year proved he can dominate. Fink doubled down the following season and recorded another impressive outing, scoring 23 goals and 53 points, ranking fourth in the NCAA. He helped the team reach its first ever Frozen Four. With Boston University advancing to the finals over Penn State, Fink's season came to an end, but the recognition didn't. He was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the most outstanding player in the NCAA.
Fink was the team's X-factor. Rather than relying on occasional flashes, Fink become Penn State's most dependable offensive weapon, recording 15 multi-point performances throughout the season. Whether it was opening the season with a five-point weekend against Alaska or posting six points versus Michigan, he repeatedly delivered when the team needed it the most.
In his final season with Penn State, he had the opportunity to play alongside projected first-overall pick Gavin McKenna. Together, they dominated the NCAA, with Fink scoring at a similar pace as the season prior with 38 points in 30 games. He became the fastest player in program history to reach the 100-career-point mark, doing so in 87 games. For him, growth wasn't just shown by stats, it was what happened outside the rink.
"The biggest concern is how small I am and how strong I am. I think I developed strength a lot," Fink said about his progression. "We were in the gym three to four times a week which really helped me. I've really worked on skating and it's a thing that I've wanted to develop and keep developing.
By the end of his time with Penn State, Fink added more size and weight, measuring in at 5-foot-10, 161 pounds. Fink finished his collegiate career as one of the most accomplished players in Penn State history, and he was more than ready to set his sights for the big leagues.
"I thought all three years were unbelievable," Fink said in response to his collegiate career. "Obviously we didn't win the one thing we wanted to win, a national championship, but all three years I developed a lot. It was an unbelievable three years at Penn State."
Fink signed an amateur try-out with the Milwaukee Admirals in April following the NCAA season, and he quickly went to work. After going scoreless in his first appearance, he put up a four-assist night against the Cleveland Monsters. He later played a huge role in the Admirals playoff hopes, scoring two goals in a comeback win to clinch their sixth-straight playoff appearance.
"He's a dangerous player," Admirals head coach Karl Taylor said following the win. "Obviously he's skilled and he can skate, but he goes to the net. He goes to the hard areas. His competitive nature is something you look for in players, and he's got something there that's a little extra and that's going to push him to whatever heights his talent has."
For being the new guy, Fink could've easily mistaken some to believe he was an established player. He put on performances night after night and gave it his all, even if the environment was different from what he was used to.
"It's been crazy. It's been fun though," Fink said about playing for Milwaukee. "Being in Milwaukee was unbelievable. The coaches, the guys there, welcomed me in. It made me feel comfortable on the ice."
His dominant stretch with the Admirals earned him an ELC. Nashville saw how Fink was producing at the professional level and believed that he could continue and become a reliable piece for its NHL roster.
Now with his next step being securing a roster spot with the Predators this season, Fink is doing everything he can in the meantime to improve his game further.
"I can learn new things at this level," Fink said in regard to improving. "This is a dream-come-true level that everyone wants to get to, and when you're a kid, you always imagine yourself here. I can just learn from these older guys, these new guys, develop new things. I think it's definitely exciting that I get that opportunity to be here."
Fink described himself as a hardworking and puck-hungry with speed. Under a Predators system that thrives on fast puck movement and an in-your-face playstyle, he couldn't fit anymore perfectly.
There is a promising road ahead for Fink. He is more than just Poile's final draft selection, he is becoming a prominent figure in the youth movement.
"It's been amazing being David Poile's last pick," Fink said. "I'll always have that in the back of my mind. I want to keep developing for him and I want to be a great last pick for him. There's a handful of people that didn't get drafted, and I'm just glad to be selected by this organization."
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