Last Updated on November 13, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Miro Heiskanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Dallas Stars in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 18, 1999, in Espoo, Finland, Heiskanen has established himself as one of the NHL’s leading defensemen.
Beyond his successful hockey career, Heiskanen is a husband and father. He is married to his longtime partner, Julia Taka-aho, and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in February 2024. They celebrated their wedding in Rome, Italy, on August 1, 2025.
His parents are Jukka Heiskanen and Mia Mattinen, while his older sister is Miira Heiskanen. His family played an important role in his childhood hockey development and continues to support his career.
Here is a closer look at Miro Heiskanen’s wife, children, parents, siblings, and family background.
Miro Heiskanen’s Wife: Who Is Julia Taka-aho?
Miro Heiskanen is married to Julia Taka-aho, his longtime Finnish partner.
Following their marriage, she has also been referred to as Julia Heiskanen.
The couple has been together since before Miro became an established NHL player. Their relationship developed while he was still building his professional hockey career in Finland.
Julia accompanied Heiskanen when he moved to Dallas in 2018 to begin his NHL career with the Stars.
The move marked an important transition for both of them, as they adjusted to living in the United States while Heiskanen pursued his professional ambitions.
Although Miro has become one of Finland’s most recognizable hockey players, Julia has maintained a relatively private public profile.
She generally avoids extensive media appearances and has not publicly disclosed many details about her education, occupation, or personal background.
However, her relationship with Heiskanen has occasionally attracted attention from Finnish entertainment publications, particularly following the birth of their child and their wedding.
How Long Have Miro Heiskanen and Julia Taka-aho Been Together?
Miro Heiskanen and Julia Taka-aho have been together since at least 2018.
Finnish entertainment magazine Seiska reported that Julia moved to Dallas with Heiskanen during the autumn of that year.
The couple subsequently built a life together while Miro established himself in the NHL.
In April 2020, Heiskanen discussed spending time in Finland with his girlfriend and their two dogs during the NHL’s temporary suspension of play.
Speaking to NHL.com Finland, he explained that he had been exercising, walking the dogs, and relaxing at home with his partner.
The interview provided a rare public glimpse into his personal life away from hockey.
When Did Miro Heiskanen Get Married?
Miro Heiskanen married Julia Taka-aho on August 1, 2025, in Rome, Italy.
The couple chose to celebrate their wedding privately, surrounded by family members, friends, and several familiar faces from professional hockey.
Finnish magazine Seiska reported the wedding on August 2, 2025, confirming that the ceremony had taken place the previous day.
The National Hockey League also acknowledged the marriage in an August 8, 2025, article about NHL players’ summer weddings.
According to NHL.com, Heiskanen and Julia celebrated their wedding in Rome.
Who Attended Miro Heiskanen’s Wedding?
Several current and former Dallas Stars players attended the wedding celebrations.
According to The Hockey News, notable guests included Jamie Benn, Mikko Rantanen, Radek Faksa, and John Klingberg.
The wedding followed a black-and-white formal dress theme, with guests wearing elegant evening attire.
Although Heiskanen and Julia did not extensively publicize the occasion themselves, photographs and videos appeared on social media through wedding guests.
The celebration attracted attention from Finnish and North American hockey media.
For the couple, the wedding represented another important family milestone after several years together and the birth of their first child.
Miro Heiskanen’s Children: Meet His Daughter
Miro Heiskanen and Julia Taka-aho have one publicly confirmed child, a daughter born on February 18, 2024.
The birth was confirmed by Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer shortly before a game against the Boston Bruins.
On February 19, 2024, NHL.com Finland reported that Heiskanen would miss the game because he was spending time with his family following the arrival of his first child.
DeBoer congratulated the couple and explained that Heiskanen would rejoin the team later during its road trip.
Heiskanen subsequently returned to the Stars after taking time to be with Julia and their newborn.
What Is Miro Heiskanen’s Daughter’s Name?
Miro Heiskanen has not publicly disclosed his daughter’s name through reliable major hockey reporting.
In a February 2026 article, D Magazine noted that Heiskanen had chosen not to share her name with the media.
The publication also highlighted his preference for maintaining privacy around significant family events.
Therefore, his daughter’s name should not be assumed or attributed to an unverified online source.
How Did Fatherhood Change Miro Heiskanen’s Life?
Becoming a father introduced an important new dimension to Heiskanen’s life away from professional hockey.
Following his daughter’s birth, he emphasized the importance of his family while speaking to hockey journalist Sean Shapiro.
In a February 20, 2024, interview, Heiskanen confirmed that both his partner and their newborn were doing well.
He also requested that the interview avoid detailed questions about the birth, demonstrating his preference for keeping family matters private.
In May 2026, Heiskanen spoke about how spending time with his daughter helped him move on from difficult hockey results.
During an interview published by Stars Thoughts, he explained that his daughter treated him the same way regardless of whether he had played well or poorly.
That experience gave him a different perspective on the pressures of professional sports.
Does Miro Heiskanen Have a Son?
Some early Finnish reporting in February 2024 described Heiskanen’s first child as a boy.
However, later reports from Seiska, D Magazine, and The Hockey News consistently identified the child as a daughter.
There is no separately verified public announcement confirming that Heiskanen also has a son.
His daughter remains his only publicly confirmed child.
Miro Heiskanen’s Parents
Miro Heiskanen’s parents are Jukka Heiskanen and Mia Mattinen.
Their identities are confirmed by Finnish public broadcaster Yle, which has published interviews about Miro’s childhood and early hockey development.
Both parents played important roles in helping him discover hockey and develop the skills that eventually took him to the NHL.
Miro Heiskanen’s Father: Jukka Heiskanen
Jukka Heiskanen is Miro Heiskanen’s father and one of the people who introduced him to ice hockey.
According to Yle, Jukka regularly took his children skating on outdoor ice rinks in Finland.
Miro began showing an interest in skating when he was approximately two years old.
He often followed his father and older sister to the outdoor rink, where he watched them skate and gradually learned the fundamentals.
Jukka recalled that Miro was enthusiastic about sports from an extremely young age.
Even as a toddler, he enjoyed playing with sticks and balls.
After returning home from work, Jukka frequently found his son already prepared for another trip to the rink.
Heiskanen would be waiting with his hockey stick and skates, eager to practice.
These experiences helped establish the father-son relationship around their shared interest in hockey.
How Jukka Heiskanen Helped Develop Miro’s Hockey Skills
Jukka played an important role in Miro’s early skating development.
Before his son began participating in extensive organized team activities, they spent considerable time practicing together on outdoor ice.
According to a May 2022 interview with Yle, Jukka helped Miro work on basic hockey skills, including skating, passing, and receiving the puck.
The sessions provided an informal foundation for his future professional career.
Jukka also encouraged his son to enjoy sports rather than treating every childhood activity as serious competition.
In September 2018, Finnish hockey publication Leijonat.com discussed Jukka’s recollections of Miro’s childhood hockey interests.
He revealed that Miro admired former NHL star Pavel Datsyuk and regularly watched videos of his performances.
That admiration helped inspire Miro’s dream of eventually playing in the NHL.
Jukka Heiskanen Discusses His Son’s Early Challenges
Although Heiskanen progressed rapidly through Finnish junior hockey, his development was not entirely without difficulties.
In May 2022, Yle published an interview with Jukka discussing a particularly challenging period during Miro’s teenage years.
The article described how illness affected the young player’s development at one stage of his career.
Despite the setback, Miro continued pursuing his hockey ambitions.
Jukka expressed pride in his son’s ability to overcome obstacles and progress through increasingly competitive levels.
The interview followed Miro’s impressive performances for Finland at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.
The tournament ultimately ended with Finland winning the gold medal on home ice.
Miro Heiskanen’s Mother: Mia Mattinen
Mia Mattinen is Miro Heiskanen’s mother.
Her identity is confirmed in Yle’s May 2022 reporting, which referenced an earlier interview published by The Athletic.
Mia helped raise Miro and his older sister, Miira, in Espoo, Finland.
She supported her son’s sporting interests from childhood and watched him gradually develop into a professional hockey player.
In the interview cited by Yle, Mia recalled how determined Miro was when learning to skate.
She described him repeatedly falling on the ice but continuing to try until he improved.
Her memories highlighted the persistence that became an important part of his sporting development.
Mia also supported Miro’s involvement in organized hockey as he progressed through youth teams in the Espoo area.
Although she has been mentioned in Finnish hockey reporting, detailed information about her occupation and other personal activities remains limited.
Miro Heiskanen’s Siblings: Meet His Older Sister Miira Heiskanen
Miro Heiskanen has an older sister named Miira Heiskanen.
Her identity and relationship with Miro are confirmed by Yle, which interviewed her during his debut with Finland’s senior national hockey team in November 2017.
Miira was also involved in one of the earliest childhood experiences that helped introduce her younger brother to ice hockey.
Miira Heiskanen – Miro Heiskanen’s Older Sister
Miira Heiskanen is Miro Heiskanen’s older sister.
During childhood, she regularly went skating with their father, Jukka.
Miro began following them to the outdoor rink when he was approximately two years old.
According to Yle, the young boy initially watched his father and sister before gradually learning to skate himself.
These family outings helped spark his lifelong interest in hockey.
Although Miira has maintained a relatively private personal life, she has occasionally appeared in Finnish sports reporting because of her brother’s achievements.
Miira Heiskanen Attended Her Brother’s National Team Debut
On November 9, 2017, Miro Heiskanen made an impressive debut for Finland’s senior national team against Russia.
The game took place in Helsinki during the Euro Hockey Tour.
Miro scored a goal as Finland defeated Russia 3-2.
His parents and older sister, Miira, were among the spectators.
Following the game, Yle interviewed Miira about the experience.
She explained that watching her younger brother represent Finland made her particularly nervous.
She described the atmosphere as very different from watching his regular games with HIFK.
The occasion was a memorable family milestone as Heiskanen began establishing himself in international hockey.
Does Miro Heiskanen Have a Brother?
There is no verified public information identifying a brother of Miro Heiskanen.
Finnish reporting consistently identifies Miira as his older sister.
No additional brothers have been established through the major family interviews reviewed.
Miro Heiskanen’s Family Background and Childhood
Miro Heiskanen was born on July 18, 1999, in Espoo, Finland.
He grew up in the Kilo area of Espoo, where he developed an early interest in ice hockey.
His father regularly took him skating on outdoor rinks, while his mother encouraged him to keep practicing.
Heiskanen also played football during childhood, but hockey eventually became his main sport.
He joined the Espoo Blues youth hockey program before moving to the HIFK organization in Helsinki.
His talent became increasingly evident during his teenage years.
He made his professional debut with HIFK during the 2016–17 season.
Despite being only 17 years old, he established himself as a promising defenseman in Finland’s top professional hockey league.
The Dallas Stars selected him with the third overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
The selection marked a major achievement for the family after years of supporting his development.
Miro Heiskanen’s NHL Career and Family Support
Miro Heiskanen made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars during the 2018–19 season.
He quickly became a regular member of the team’s defensive lineup.
During his rookie season, he recorded 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 82 games.
His performances earned him selection to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
In 2020, he helped Dallas reach the Stanley Cup Final, where the Stars lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Heiskanen recorded 26 points in 27 playoff appearances, establishing himself as one of the league’s leading young defensemen.
During the 2022–23 regular season, he recorded 11 goals and 62 assists for 73 points in 79 games.
The 73-point performance established a Dallas Stars franchise record for points by a defenseman in a single season.
Following a knee injury that disrupted his 2024–25 campaign, he returned to full effectiveness during the 2025–26 season.
He recorded nine goals and 54 assists for 63 points in 77 regular-season games.
His performances helped reinforce his importance to the Dallas defensive lineup.
Miro Heiskanen’s Family and International Hockey Achievements
Heiskanen has represented Finland at several major international hockey tournaments.
He helped Finland win gold at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
He later represented the senior national team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
In 2022, he helped Finland win the IIHF World Championship on home ice.
His father discussed the achievement with Finnish media, reflecting on how far Miro had progressed since his childhood skating sessions.
Heiskanen also represented Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy.
Finland won the bronze medal, providing another important milestone in his international career.
His achievements have given his family numerous opportunities to celebrate his development from a young player in Espoo into an internationally recognized defenseman.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miro Heiskanen’s Family
Who is Miro Heiskanen’s wife?
Miro Heiskanen’s wife is Julia Taka-aho, also known as Julia Heiskanen. The couple married in Rome, Italy, in August 2025.
When did Miro Heiskanen get married?
Miro Heiskanen and Julia Taka-aho married on August 1, 2025, during a private wedding celebration in Rome.
Who was Miro Heiskanen’s girlfriend?
Miro Heiskanen’s longtime girlfriend was Julia Taka-aho. They were together before his move to Dallas in 2018 and later married in 2025.
Does Miro Heiskanen have children?
Yes. Miro Heiskanen and Julia have one publicly confirmed child, a daughter born in February 2024.
When was Miro Heiskanen’s daughter born?
Miro Heiskanen’s daughter was born on February 18, 2024. He missed a game against the Boston Bruins the following day to spend time with his family.
What is Miro Heiskanen’s daughter’s name?
Heiskanen has not publicly disclosed his daughter’s name through reliable major hockey reporting.
Does Miro Heiskanen have a son?
No son has been independently confirmed. Although one early report described his first child as a boy, multiple later reports identify the child as a daughter.
Who are Miro Heiskanen’s parents?
Miro Heiskanen’s parents are Jukka Heiskanen and Mia Mattinen, who supported his childhood hockey development in Espoo, Finland.
Who is Miro Heiskanen’s father?
Miro Heiskanen’s father is Jukka Heiskanen, who regularly took him skating during childhood and helped teach him basic hockey skills.
Who is Miro Heiskanen’s mother?
Miro Heiskanen’s mother is Mia Mattinen, who has spoken publicly about her son’s determination when learning to skate.
Does Miro Heiskanen have siblings?
Yes. Miro Heiskanen has an older sister named Miira Heiskanen.
Who is Miro Heiskanen’s sister?
Miro Heiskanen’s older sister is Miira Heiskanen, who attended his senior international debut for Finland in November 2017.
Does Miro Heiskanen have a brother?
There is no verified public information identifying a brother. His older sister, Miira, is his publicly confirmed sibling.
Where is Miro Heiskanen’s family from?
Miro Heiskanen grew up in Espoo, Finland, where he began playing hockey through local youth programs.
How old is Miro Heiskanen?
Miro Heiskanen was born on July 18, 1999, making him 27 years old in November 2026.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
