Red Wings Prospect Captains Swedish World Junior Squad

Detroit Red Wings prospects had their fingerprints all over Sweden’s 5-4 overtime victory over Czechia in the opening match of the u20 Five Nations tournament in Imatra, Finland.

Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall, 2023 NHL entry draft) would score the goal that tied the score at 2-2. He would then add the primary assist on Hugo Pettersson’s goal that was putting the Swedes into a 3-2 lead.

Axel Sandin Pellikka(1st round’23 for Skellefteå)
GOAL 🚨 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/JC2D1gDz9F

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) November 6, 2024

On Zeb Forsfjall’s game winner 1:50 into the extra session, left-winger Noah Dower Nilsson (73rd overall, 2023) was drawing the secondary assist.

Sandin Pellikka is wearing the captain’s C for Sweden. The 19-year-old defender collected seven shots on goal during the game.

He was part of last year’s squad that won the silver medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden. Sandin Pellikka was named the top defenseman of the tournament. Playing for Skelleftea, Sandin Pellikka is currently leading all SHL defensemen in goals (five) and points (14) through 17 games.

Noah Dower Nilsson(3rd round’23)
Off the cross bar 🥅. He’s looked lively in this one. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/EGhrDuTN82

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) November 6, 2024

This Five Nations tournament is the last tuneup prior to next month’s world junior tourney in Ottawa. Sweden plays Slovakia on Friday, Switzerland on Saturday and Finland on Sunday.

New Coach Awaits Future Red Wings Players

When he returns home to play next week, Sandin Pellikka will be answering to a new coach. Reigning SHL champions Skelleftea has parted ways with coach Robert Ohlsson.

The defending champs have lost seven of their last 10 games, including a current four-game losing streak. That’s seen them slide to seventh in the table. However, that’s not the cause for Ohlsson’s dismissal.

Questioned by Swedish radio station P4 Västerbotten about recent negative reaction to the team on social media from Skelleftea fans, Ohlsson didn’t mince words.

“No, I haven’t heard that,” was Ohlsson’s response. “I give a shit about the supporters. The supporters and what they think is nothing I can influence.”

Assistant coaches Pierre Johnsson and Andreas Falk will run the team for the remainder of the SHL season.

Detroit’s 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (15th overall) also plays for Skelleftea.