Red Wings draft Axel Sandin Pellikka 17th overall
The Detroit Red Wings selected Axel Sandin Pellikka with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Axel Sandin Pellikka
Position: Defense
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180 lbs
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Club: Skelleftea AIK (U20 Sweden)
Nationality: 🇸🇪
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 7th among European skaters
2022-23 stats
| GP | G | A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skelleftea AIK | 31 | 16 | 20 |
| World juniors | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| U18 Worlds | 7 | 2 | 9 |
Sandin Pellikka's stock has fluctuated over the course of the draft cycle. He soared to third on Central Scouting's midseason European skater rankings before dropping to seventh on the final list.
He was the highest-scoring defenseman on a per-game basis in the Swedish U20 league this season, and his 16 goals were tied for the most at his position league-wide. With Skelleftea's senior team, Sandin Pellikka scored five points in 22 SHL games, the seventh-best scoring rate among draft-eligible blue-liners in Sweden's top league over the past 14 years. All six defensemen who produced at a higher rate are active NHL regulars.
Some of Sandin Pellikka's best play has come with the Tre Kronor on his jersey. As the youngest player on Sweden's world junior team in January, he became the team's leader in ice time by the tourney's end. In April, he was named the best defenseman at the U18s after finishing second in tournament scoring among blue-liners.
Sandin Pellika will likely return to Skelleftea next season but will be eligible to play in the AHL once he signs an entry-level contract.
What they're saying
"He's the best defenseman in the draft," said TSN's Craig Button. "And he's just continuously showed me that. I watch the poise, the ability to control the game in every single zone and seemingly do it with a calm and an ease that is eerily reminiscent of Sergei Zubov."
"There aren't many players in this draft class who've come along quite like Sandin Pellikka has in the last year or so," wrote The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. "He's got really good edges and mobility and has shown improved speed in straight lines to pull away from chasers."
"Sandin Pellikka lacks ideal NHL size for a defenseman, but he competes well and doesn't shy from using his body to lay into opposing forwards," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman.
Click here to watch Sandin Pellikka's highlights.