Axel Sandin-Pellikka loves good feints.
The defenseman idolized Patrick Kane as a child, after his father brought back to Sweden a Chicago Blackhawks jersey with the number 88 sewn on the back.
Sandin-Pellikka was fascinated by the star forward’s quick hands.
He now has many in his toolbox. The 19-year-old also realized that sometimes it’s better to do less.
“I like to have the puck as much as possible because I know that’s my strength,” Sandin-Pellikka said. But at the back, you have to keep it simple. Most of the time I don’t need to do anything flashy. I have to show a little more mature game. »
The 17th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings has pretty much done everything he can so far in the Canadian capital.
Sandin-Pellikka’s four goals and seven points after three games put him atop the World Junior Hockey Championship statistics.
With one more game to play before the elimination round, the Sweden captain is just three goals away from tying the record for a defenseman at a single tournament. Finnish Juha Jyrkko achieved the feat in 1977.
“He is so talented,” insisted Swedish striker David Granberg. Everyone here knows how good he is. I’m not surprised he does what he does. He’s an incredible player. »
Sandin-Pellikka, who is participating in the under-20 event for the third and final time, could also become the second player to win the best defender award on two occasions – after Soviet Viacheslav Fetisov, in 1977 and 1978 – following his exceptional performance last year in Gothenburg, in his native Sweden.
“He looks more relaxed,” said Swedish head coach Magnus Havelid. He has a good temperament, a stable temperament. He’s a really positive person. »
Sandin-Pellikka gained experience during three professional seasons with Skelleftea AIK in the Swedish top division.
The native of Gallivare – a city more than 1,000 kilometers north of Stockholm – collected 18 points in 39 games in 2023-2024, before adding two goals and five assists in 14 playoff games. He helped his team win its first Swedish Hockey League (SHL) title in a decade.
“It was the best moment of my life,” he said. It’s a dream come true. »
At five-foot-10 and 181 pounds, Sandin-Pellikka took another step forward this season with eight goals and 14 assists in 25 games. He is on pace to easily break the SHL record of 31 points in a season by a defenseman under the age of 20.
“They are very good at taking care of the junior players,” he said. All the veterans help me and tell me to just play my style, not to think about anything and that the team supports me if I make a mistake. It’s comforting. »
Havelid said Sandin-Pellikka’s maturity with the puck was accelerated by the professional environment.
“Several players who arrive want to do a lot of things,” explained the coach. You start to understand it and tell yourself to calm things down and start with the simple pass. They learn a lot, these young players. »
Sweden, which has won the World Juniors only twice, is tied at the top of Group B with the Czech Republic thanks to three consecutive victories. The two teams will face off for first place on Tuesday, with the quarterfinals looming on the horizon.
“I’m happy so far,” Sandin-Pellikka said. We have something to build on. »
The defenseman, who has closely watched the NHL career of his compatriot Erik Karlsson, plans to attend the Red Wings’ development camp this summer and then see where his hockey journey will take him.
Sandin-Pellikka suggested that being selected by the Red Wings – one of the original six teams where fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom patrolled the blue line for 20 seasons – was a special moment.
“It’s an unforgettable memory,” he said. It’s something that fills me with a lot of pride. »
One memory he doesn’t like to relive is last year’s gold medal game, when Sweden lost to the United States.
“We have to forget about it pretty quickly,” insisted Sandin-Pellikka. It’s difficult to lose the final, especially at home. We want revenge. »
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