Former Red Wings first-round pick developing in Sweden is win-win

DETROIT – Getting acclimated to smaller ice sheets and the more physical brand of North American hockey in the AHL could benefit a European prospect.

There is something to be said as well for staying home and spending another season developing on a championship-caliber club.

That’s why the Detroit Red Wings supported Axel Sandin Pellikka’s decision to remain in Sweden in 2024-25 rather than play for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Sandin Pellikka, 19, is the right-shooting defenseman who will be running the team’s power play and playing a top-four role in the near future after being selected 17th overall in 2023.

For now, he’ll be a key player for Skelleftea AIK in its quest to repeat as Swedish Hockey League champion.

“It’s nice to be home another year,” Sandin Pellikka said last month at Red Wings development camp. “I know the coaches well. I know my teammates well. We have a good team. We’re going to go for the gold next year (at the World Juniors) So, stay home and develop for another year.”

The Red Wings drafted the 5-11, 185-pound right-shooting defenseman eight spots after taking center Nate Danielson, who is preparing for his first season in Grand Rapids. They landed Sandin Pellikka with the pick they acquired from Vancouver (via the New York Islanders) in the 2023 trade that sent defenseman Filip Hronek to the Canucks.

Sandin Pellikka produced 10 goals and 18 points in 39 games as an 18-year-old playing against men in the SHL. He picked up six points in seven World Junior games for Sweden, which lost to the United States 6-2 in the gold medal game.

He’ll play a bigger role on both teams this year, along with left wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, the Red Wings’ top 2024 pick (15th overall) who’ll play for Skelleftea this season.

“Axel is probably one of Sweden’s most important players on defense,” Danny Cleary, Red Wings assistant director of player development, said. “It’s hard for a defenseman to play (in Grand Rapids). He’s going to play quite a bit in Skelleftea, they’re going to have a good team, he’s going to run the power play. He’s going to play quite a bit with the puck.

“Axel is a very smart player. He moves well. We just don’t see the harm in it (staying in Sweden). No sense rushing him. We got a pretty good D in Grand Rapids. Got a couple D graduating, but we have some good players still down there. Not to say Axe couldn’t come over and play in Grand Rapids, no problem, but Skelleftea is a real good development place, it’s a good league, it’s a good city, well run. Axe will be back in Ottawa at the World Juniors again (this year). He’s a really talented player.”

While offense comes natural for Sandin Pellikka, he realizes other areas of his game also need attention before he can compete for a spot on the Red Wings’ roster in 2025-26.

“Mostly my defensive game is what I try to be better at,” he said. “Always after practice, the D coach back home takes me to the corners and makes me (defend) some forwards, so that’s what I’m working on.”

He described the 12 months since being drafted as “awesome.”

“Winning the Swedish championship is one of my lifelong dreams,” Sandin Pellikka said. “So just getting to experience that, there’s not much to complain about this season.”