Axel Sandin Pellikka

Last updated

Axel Sandin Pellikka
Born (2005-03-11) 11 March 2005 (age 20)
Gällivare, Sweden
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams
Detroit Red Wings
Grand Rapids Griffins  (AHL)
Skellefteå AIK
NHL draft 17th overall, 2023
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 2022present

Axel Sandin Pellikka (born 11 March 2005) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to 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]

Contents

Playing career

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 season, 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 the Detroit Red Wings. [7]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2024 Sweden
World U18 Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2023 Sweden

Sandin Pellikka represented Sweden at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won a silver medal.

Personal life

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

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2021–22 Skellefteå AIK J18 142688
2021–22Skellefteå AIK J20 141236
2022–23Skellefteå AIKJ1852132
2022–23Skellefteå AIKJ20311620366420110
2022–23 Skellefteå AIK SHL 222350
2023–24 Skellefteå AIKSHL391081817142572
2024–25 Skellefteå AIKSHL4612172922111782
SHL totals1072428523925312154

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 Sweden HG18 Silver medal icon.svg50226
2023 Sweden WJC 4th70116
2023 Sweden U18 Silver medal icon.svg729110
2024 SwedenWJCSilver medal icon.svg72464
2025 SwedenWJC4th746106
Junior totals338223022

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
SHL
Salming Trophy 2024 [5]
Le Mat Trophy 2024 [6]

References

  1. Hamrin, Jimmy. "Sweden Stock Watch: Axel Sandin Pellikka's draft stock is soaring". eprinkside. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  2. Horn, Logan (24 December 2022). "2023 World Junior Championship: 2023 Draft Players to Watch". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  3. Bexell, Patrik. "WJC: Team Sweden preview & roster". MSN. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  4. Kennedy, Ian (12 January 2023). "Midseason NHL Draft rankings: Connor Bedard headlines elite talent at the top". Yahoo. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Sandin Pellikka collects Salming Trophy". The Hockey News. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Skellefteå är Svenska Mästare 2023/24!" [Skellefteå are Swedish Champions 2023/24!] (in Swedish). shl.se. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  7. "Red Wings sign Axel Sandin Pellikka". Detroit Red Wings. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  8. Suomalaistaustainen Axel Sandin Pellikka hioo taitojaan osaavassa ympäristössä: "Olen käyttänyt muovisia ukkoja, joiden ohi harhautan ja lauon", jatkoaika.com, 4 January 2023
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Detroit Red Wings first-round draft pick
2023
Succeeded by