Red Wings Prospect Notebook: Rudy Wins Again; ASP up For Award

Moncton Wildcats goalie Rudy Guimond, the Detroit Red Wings prospect who’s unbeaten in his CHL career, was 2:40 away from tasting defeat for the first time in Game 2 of the QMJHL final. However, Guimond and the Wildcats refused to lose.

Moncton tied the score at the 17:20 mark of the third period and went on to rally for a 4-3 double overtime victory over the Rimouski Oceanic. The Wildcats own a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Rudy Guimond will not take an L! 🤯 @monctonwildcats | #QPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/l6S7RorTel

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) May 12, 2025

Guimond, selected 169th overall by Detroit in the 2023 NHL entry draft, made 28 saves and was named the game’s first star. He improved to 24-0 for his CHL career.

Sandin Pellikka Vies For Best Of Europe

The finalists for the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs (EHC) awards are out and yet again, a top Red Wings prospect is up for the Young Player of the Year. Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka is this season’s Detroit contender.

Sandin Pellikka is nominated for his work this season with Sweden’s U20 team and his SHL club Skelleftea. He was named best defenseman the world juniors for the second year running. He topped all U20 SHL defensemen in scoring and was named Junior Player of the Year in Sweden.

Time to vote for Fenix Outdoor European Hockey Awards!

​As always, we’re looking for the Young Player of the Year, the Coach of the Year, the Club of the Year & the winner of the Career Excellence Award.

Click the link to see the nominees, and VOTE!https://t.co/L7RfczVPRB

— EuropeanHockeyClubs (@EHCAlliance) May 9, 2025

ASP was also a finalist for this award last season, but it went to Jonathan Lekkerimaki. That brought to an end a three-year run of wins by Detroit prospects.

Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider won EHC Young Player of the Year in 2021. Red Wings and Griffins forward Elmer Soderblom would follow up by winning in 2022. In 2023, the recogntion went to another current Griffins player, defenseman William Wallinder.

The EHC awards are based on fan voting. To cast a ballot for Sandin Pellikka, click here.

The awards will be presented on June 11 at the Annual EHC Awards Dinner in Prague.

Differing Fates For Red Wings Draftees

Two one time Red Wings draft picks who played with the AHL Griffins were suffering different fates as Djurgardens was earning promotion to the SHL. Veteran forward Dick Axelsson, 38, a 2006 Red Wings draftee (62nd overall) who played for the Griffins in 2009-10, was informed his services would no longer be required by the club.

Meanwhile, left-winger Albin Grewe was agreeing to terms on a new two-year contract with the club. Grewe was Detroit’s 66th overall selection in the 2019 NHL entry draft. He was a Grand Rapids player during the 2020-21 season.

Two other ex-Griffins were also on the move in the European ranks. Forward Andy Miele was switching teams in Germany’s DEL. He’s leaving Wolfsburg to join the Fischtown Penguins. Miele was the leading scorer for the Griffins in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Meanwhile, goalie Dylan St. Cyr was announcing his retirement. The son of female goaltending icon Manon Rheaume was playing the past two seasons with Anglet in France. He saw action in one game for Grand Rapids during the 2022-23 AHL season.

Kubalik On The Move

Former Red Wings forward Dominik Kubalik was also opting to change clubs in the Swiss National League. Kubalik left Ambri-Piotta to join EV Zug.

The Czech winger was a 20-goal scorer for Detroit during the 2022-23 season.