Red Wings Top Prospect Analyzes Growth at WJC

Axel Sandin Pellikka can relate to what the Detroit Red Wings are going through at the moment. He’s already dealt with a coaching change this season at Skelleftea, his SHL club.

The dismissal of Skelleftea coach Robert Ohlsson came in November, while Sandin Pellikka was away playing for Sweden in a junior tournament.

“When I came back, it became a bit of a different everyday life, but I haven’t thought about it too much,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Expressen.

Axel Sandin Pellikka, have yourself an opener! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/NkgBZrmF2H

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2024

The defenseman chosen 17th overall by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL entry draft is again away from his club. He is captaining Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. The Swedes are 2-0 and Sandin Pellikka is showing three goals and an assist on his ledger.

“I’ve got a few points and that’s what’s mainly visible,” Sandin Pellikka said. The 19-year-old rearguard is maintaining this his growth as a person is also helping him mature into a better all-around player on the ice.

“You become a bit more mature the more you play, quite simply. I try to play more maturely and then there will also be fewer mistakes. I just try to contribute my game all over the ice.”

Red Wings Prospect A Determined Competitor

He’s employing the same philosophy toward his role as captain of the Swedish squad in Ottawa.

“(It’s) mainly because I’ve been there before,” Sandin Pellikka said. “I’m doing my third JVM now and have some routine that way. Then maybe I can help the team through it, too.

“I just try to be myself. I can’t be someone else just because I become captain. I want to lead by example and pull the group together so it becomes tighter.”

Swedish assistant coach Nicklas Grossman thinks that Sandin Pellikka is selling himself short when assessing the contribution he is making to the Swedish cause.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka throws a HUGE hit along the boards! 😤#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/ARJmxDxaID

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2024

“He is a fierce guy, who loves to compete and hates to lose,” Grossman said. “In everything he does. That alone gets you very far.”

There was evidence on display of that competitive streak at last year’s world junior. When the Swedes lost the gold-medal match to the USA, an angry Sandin Pellikka wound up punching a dressing room wall, breaking a finger.

Sandin Pellikka On Verge Of History

Sandin Pellikka is leading all defenseman in scoring in the SHL. Already with eight goals, he’s well on pace to establish a new SHL mark for scoring by a teenaged blueliner.

“It’s clear that it’s cool that you’re being talked about like that, but I’m not thinking about anything else but just playing hockey,” Sandin Pellika said. “I try not to focus too much on the surrounding.”

He was earning selection as the top defenseman at last year’s tourney. Should be repeat that performance in Ottawa, this future Red Wings star will join a legendary Red Wings star as the only rearguards to twice win this award. Viacheslav Fetisov was named top defender at the world junior in 1976-77 and 1977-78.

“It is clear that one would like to receive such a prize, but I am not there to chase personal achievements,” Sandin Pellikka flatly states. “I’m there to win gold with the team.”