Detroit Red Wings
Sandin Pellikka Prepping to Earn Spot on Red Wings Roster
Top prospect training with Swedish NHLers
As the top prospect in the Detroit Red Wings system, the endgame for Axel Sandin Pellikka this fall isn’t difficult to decipher.
He’s aiming to earn a place in the show.
“You want to go to the NHL,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Hockey Sverige. “That’s what’s been the goal since you were a little kid and started playing hockey.
“Now I’m going to do everything I can to get a place over there.”
Vote Axel Sandin Pellikka (1st round’23) Goal of the year for this goal. #LGRW #skeaik https://t.co/PzgJtG0bUm pic.twitter.com/Ld47fMBT6r
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 9, 2025
To that end, the player Detroit was selecting 17th overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft already has his nose to the grindstone. He’s summering in Skelleftea, where he’s working out with Swedish NHLers. Sandin Pellikka is also enduring regular training sessions with Stefan Thomson. He’s a coach for the Swedish women’s national cross-country skiing team.
“I will be working hard all summer and I have a clear picture of what I want to improve both on and off the ice,” Sandin Pellikka said. “First and foremost, I will focus on having the best summer possible and then do everything I can to get a spot at training camp.
“Nothing is set in stone, but it is clear that I want to get a spot in the NHL.”
Getting a taste of the North American game playing Calder Cup games for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins has only whet ASP’s appetite for the North American game.
“It’s a whole new league with a whole different game,” Sandin Pellikka said. “It can easily become a bit of a plexiglass-out game and it’s a whole different game than here at home.
“It’s a matter of getting used to how fast it goes over there. It was useful for me to get a feel for it, I think.”
Honors For Red Wings Prospect
A good omen for Sandin Pellikka’s hopes of fast tracking his NHL objective was arriving Monday. He was receiving the honor of Swedish Junior Player of the Year from the website Elite Prospects. Sandin Pellikka garnered all 15 first-place votes on the ballot.
#LGRW prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka is the 2025 winner of the EliteProspects Award, annually given to the top junior player in the SHL 🔥 Grattis, Axel!
🔗: https://t.co/GVwo8FsRcu pic.twitter.com/9rTpZjNcty
— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) June 9, 2025
“I’ve played a little more mature,” Sandin Pellikka assessed of his game. “Then I’ve become a little stronger and better in defense. I tidied up the plus/minus numbers a little this year.”
During the season, he set SHL records for the most goals in a season (12) and career (24) by a junior-aged defender. As well, Sandin Pellikka 15 playoff points were also a league mark.
“It’s not something I’ve thought about much during the season, but it’s definitely awesome,” Sandin Pellikka admitted. “It’s hard to understand when you’re in the middle of it. At the same time, you just have to take it as a pat on the back and try to be even better tomorrow.
“Now I’m going to work hard with the NHL group here in Skelleftea, have an even better summer than last year and be even better next season.”
He joins Moritz Seider (2021) and Simon Edvinsson (2022) as Red Wings defensemen who’ve recently won the award. Each of the past four winners of this award have played in the NHL in the ensuing season.
I know that (Jonathan) Lekkerimaki (2024) and Leo Carlsson (2023) have won the prize before, so I will make sure to follow in their footsteps,” Sandin Pellikka said. “I hope it will go just as well for me.”
Hopefully he works out. Wings need more young talent. Watching the later rounds of the playoffs, it is quite clear that the DRW are far from being contenders.
I love watching ASP play the game. There’s a dynamic element to his game that goes beyond skating prowess. I love how he reads plays and sees the ice. But even then, it’s also consistency. He tries to make something happen every shift. Unfortunately that could be the one thing that keeps him in GR for a year (they might want a little risk removed from his game). I hope they let him loose, and don’t try to rein him in too much. (He’ll figure it out)