Axel Sandin Pellikka (born 11 March 2005) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently under contract as a prospect for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 17th overall by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.[1][2]
| Axel Sandin Pellikka | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
11 March 2005 Gällivare, Sweden | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Detroit Red Wings Skellefteå AIK | ||
| NHL draft |
17th overall, 2023 Detroit Red Wings | ||
| Playing career | 2022–present | ||
Playing career edit
Sandin Pellikka played as a youth within Skellefteå AIK organization and made his professional debut in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) during the 2022–23 season.[3][4]
In the 2023–24 campaign, Sandin Pellikka played his first full season in the SHL with Skellefteå AIK, recording 10 goals and 18 points from the blueline in 39 games. His 10 goals were the most of any under-19 skater and he was named the recipient of the Salming Trophy as the best Swedish-born defenseman in the SHL.[5] Sandin-Pellikka helped Skellefteå AIK claim the Le Mat Trophy in winning the SHL championship, tallying 7 points in 14 playoff games.[6]
On 6 May 2024, Sandin Pellikka was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with draft club, the Detroit Red Wings.[7]
International play edit
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  Sweden
| ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
 |
2024 Sweden | |
| World U18 Championships | ||
| |
2023 Switzerland | |
Sandin Pellikka represented Sweden at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won a silver medal.
Personal life edit
Sandin Pellikka is of Finnish descent. His father is Finnish, but was born in Sweden. The family name Pellikka is of Karelian origin.[8]
Career statistics edit
Regular season and playoffs edit
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2021–22 | Skellefteå AIK | J18 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Skellefteå AIK | J20 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Skellefteå AIK | J18 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2022–23 | Skellefteå AIK | J20 | 31 | 16 | 20 | 36 | 64 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | Skellefteå AIK | SHL | 22 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Skellefteå AIK | SHL | 39 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | ||
| SHL totals | 61 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 17 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | ||||
International edit
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sweden | HG18 | 
|
5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2023 | Sweden | WJC | 4th | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| 2023 | Sweden | U18 |
|
7 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2024 | Sweden | WJC |
|
7 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | |
| Junior totals | 26 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 16 | ||||
Awards and honors edit
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| SHL | ||
| Salming Trophy | 2024 | [5] |
| Le Mat Trophy (Skellefteå AIK) | 2024 | [6] |
References edit
- ^ Hamrin, Jimmy. "Sweden Stock Watch: Axel Sandin Pellikka's draft stock is soaring". eprinkside. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Horn, Logan (24 December 2022). "2023 World Junior Championship: 2023 Draft Players to Watch". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Bexell, Patrik. "WJC: Team Sweden preview & roster". MSN. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Kennedy, Ian (12 January 2023). "Midseason NHL Draft rankings: Connor Bedard headlines elite talent at the top". Yahoo. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Sandin Pellikka collects Salming Trophy". The Hockey News. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Skellefteå är Svenska Mästare 2023/24!" [Skellefteå are Swedish Champions 2023/24!] (in Swedish). shl.se. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Red Wings sign Axel Sandin Pellikka". Detroit Red Wings. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Suomalaistaustainen Axel Sandin Pellikka hioo taitojaan osaavassa ympäristössä: "Olen käyttänyt muovisia ukkoja, joiden ohi harhautan ja lauon", jatkoaika.com, 4 January 2023
External links edit
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
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