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 (2005-03-11) 11 March 2005 (age 19)
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

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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

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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

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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

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Regular season and playoffs

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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

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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

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Award Year
SHL
Salming Trophy 2024 [5]
Le Mat Trophy 2024 [6]

References

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  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. ^ a b "Sandin Pellikka collects Salming Trophy". The Hockey News. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  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
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Detroit Red Wings first-round draft pick
2023
Succeeded by