With a long tradition of producing elite NHL defenceman, Sweden is about to offer another one up to the league and Axel Sandin-Pellikka is one of this year’s most gifted offensive blue liners.
Winning top junior defenceman of the year honours in Sweden, Sandin-Pellikka shone across international events and even got a taste of the top level of pro hockey, seeing 22 games with Skelleftea in a sheltered opportunity.
What’s been amazing is that Sandin-Pellikka has been one of the biggest risers of the class from the start of the season. Back in October, Sandin-Pellikka didn’t even crack Sam Cosentino’s top 32 ranking, but now at the end of the year Cosentino ranked him 12th and Jason Bukala put him 11th.
For more on the player, we look to those two experts…
Sam Cosentino on the player: A noted two-way defenceman, Sandin-Pellikka was lauded for his work at the 2022 Hlinka-Gretzky, where he had just two assists, but played top-four minutes for Sweden. He tracked well in both the Four Nations in November and the Five Nations event in February, amassing a combined eight points in seven games.
In league play, ASP dominated the U20 loop averaging over a point per game for Skelleftea, scoring 16 goals and earning Defenceman of the Year honours. His fine play earned him a number of stints in the SHL, where his minutes were down, leading to just five points in 22 games.
His closing act may have been his finest. Sandin-Pellikka finished the season on top of is game, collecting the top defenceman award at the U18 worlds. Of his 11 points in that event, five were accumulated in an 8-0 win over Canada to open the tournament. He’s great at manoeuvring along the offensive blue line to find holes in which to get pucks to the net. He plays with great poise, and is smart enough to know what to do with the puck, managing it well in all zones.
Jason Bukala’s scouting report: Transitional, two-way defenceman who can lead the rush on his own or distribute and join as an extra layer.
Elite skater. Quick and agile. PP quarterback. A mostly area defender who relies on an active stick and his jump to space. Arrives ahead of opponents and moves pucks effectively.
Leans top pairing NHL defenceman on projection.