Red Wings Prospect Rebounding From Injury

Axel Sandin Pellikka is back and that’s good news for both the Detroit Red Wings prospect and for his Swedish club Skelleftea.

The 19-year-old defenseman, Detroit’s 17th overall selection in the 2023 NHL entry draft, has been nursing an injury. It’s been causing his absence from Skelleftea’s SHL preseason games. However, he’s been skating all week and he’s expecting to be back in action as Skelleftea begins Champions Hockey league play later this week.

“Axel Sandin-Pellikka, on the ice for today's match warm-up but not available for tonight's game.
Both he and Rickard Hugg will go full force from next week and make their debuts on Friday 6 September away against Salzburg in the CHL.”
Follow Robin for Skellefteå news #LGRW https://t.co/5beraTeXal

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 29, 2024

Skelleftea is facing Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg on Friday. The Salzburg roster includes defenseman Nash Nienhuis. He’s the son of former Boston Bruins forward Kraig Nienhuis. Last season, Nash Nienhuis was a teammate of Red Wings draftees Trey Augustine and Red Savage playing for the Michigan State Spartans.

A 10-goal scorer last season for Skelleftea, Sandin Pellikka was awarded the Borje Salming Award as the top Swedish-born defenseman in the SHL. Recently, he was discussing with Swedish website Norran what he will be seeking to improve upon as an SHL sophomore.

“I want to improve on everything, but of course defense is important to me and I want to be better there,” Sandin Pellikka explained to writer Robin Lindgren. “I want to add some weight so I’m heavier to face in the corners.”

Red Wings Pick Staying In Sweden

While Skelleftea teammate and Detroit 2024 first-round pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard will be attending Red Wings training camp later this month, Sandin Pellikka is going to be remaining in Sweden. Skelleftea are reigning SHL champions.

Sandin-Pellikka, via norran, on what he’s trying to improve this season:

– I want to improve on everything, but of course defense is important to me and I want to be better there. I want to add some weight so I’m heavier to face in the corners.#LGRW

Photo: Ola Westerberg pic.twitter.com/OYuCQvuWkW

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) September 3, 2024

“It’s nice to be home another year,” Sandin Pellikka said. “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, so stay home and develop for another year.”

He’ll also be playing for Sweden in the IIHF World Junior Championship. Last year, Sandin Pellikka was earning the honor as the tournament’s top defenseman while helping the Swedes earn a silver medal.