Another Red Wings Connection Arriving in Skelleftea
There’s a huge part of the future of the Detroit Red Wings currently operating in the lineup for Skelleftea of Sweden’s SHL. Both defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall in 2023) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (15th overall, 2024) are first-round picks from the NHL entry draft.
Going forward, they’re going to have a former Red Wings player riding shotgun and ensuring that they are protected. That’s because former Detroit tough guy Luke Witkowski is joining Skelleftea.
Swedish website Expressen was the first to report this news. However, Skelleftea sporting director Erik Forssell was declining to comment on Witkowski when contacted by Expressen.
It’s been a rough go of late for Skelleftea. The reigning SHL champions sit eighth in the table. They recently lost seven of 10 games and saw the dismissal of head coach Robert Ohlsson. Germany’s Fischtown Penguins were bouncing Skelleftea from the Champions Hockey League by a 10-1 margin in their two-game total goals series.
Witkowski Was Serving Two Stints With Red Wings
Witkowski also spent last season in Europe. He was playing for Finland’s Tappara, helping them to the SM-liiga title.
The 34-year-old, who can play on the right wing or defense, shows 132 NHL games on his resume.
From Holland, Michigan, Witkowski would play 65 games for the Red Wings from 2017-19, collecting 1-5-6 totals and 91 penalty minutes.
Witkowski’s Detroit tenure is perhaps best remembered for a game against the Calgary Flames. Ejected from the game, Witkowski returned to the ice to fight Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, earning a 10-game suspension from the NHL for his actions.
He’d re-sign with the Red Wings in 2021, playing one game for them during the 2021-22 season. He also spent 44 games with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, where Witkowski was delivering 3-4-7 numbers along with 62 penalty minutes.
Witkowski, who played college hockey at Western Michigan, also spent two separate NHL stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning – from 2014-17 and again in 2019-20.
