THN.com/podcast. From THN American Pipeline: NHL Draft List, U-18 Worlds and Lightning Prospects Axel Sandin Pellikka [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk3NTAwMDk5MDY3MTI2Nzkw/dsc_3825.jpg] Axel Sandin Pellikka The top-scoring defenseman at the world under-18s so far, Sweden's Axel Sandin Pellikka has also been hovering around the top of his NHL draft class all year long. The 2023 prospect will be one of the first blueliners taken this summer, with Austria's David Reinbacher in the pole position. Both players repped their countries at the world juniors this past winter, and both have played against men in pro leagues this season. For Sandin Pellikka, suiting up for Skelleftea in the SHL has really helped his game. "Of course my confidence has gone up levels," he said. "It's been very good, very fun." One player that made an impression on Sandin Pellikka is veteran blueliner Jonathan Pudas, who led Skelleftea in scoring with 45 points in 50 games. That's the type of offensive defenseman Sandin Pellikka sees himself as, but his influences carry on from there. "Obviously Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are extremely skilled," he said. "But my comparable would probably be Nils Lundkvist - I've heard that from scouts and coaches, so I try to play like him, too." Sandin Pellikka split his time between the SHL and the junior ranks this season and was more than a point-per-gamer with Skelleftea's under-20 squad. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, he doesn't have ideal size, but he does bring a lot of potential to the table. "He's improved steadily all year," said one NHL scout. "He came up and played really well with the big team and took steps. I thought it was a good move to include him on the world junior team thanks to his skating and his puck-moving ability. He has played a good game wherever he has gone." Funny enough, Sandin Pellikka doesn't come from hockey roots. "No one in my family plays hockey, but my father used to do cross-country skiing, so that was my first sport," he said. "I did that until I was six, then one Christmas, my grandfather bought me a beginner's set of hockey equipment, and after that, I went to the rink, skated and told my father I wanted to quit cross-country." Sandin Pellikka did go back to skiing once, however. "I actually did," he said. "I was probably around 12 and went back for one competition. I won by more than a minute, so I guess it was in the genes." His main focus, of course, has been hockey, and in that realm, 'ASP' has plenty of talent already. The key will be for him to continue rounding out his game, something Skelleftea assistant coach Pierre Johnsson focused on during the season - especially in terms of the teen getting stronger in his own zone. "In the beginning of the season, I barely had any defense, but now I have more strength and can position myself very well in the D-zone," Sandin Pellikka said. "That's something I'll still be working on. After practices, my coach brings in a forward, and we go on 1-on-1, with me trying to push him to the boards and try to hold him to the outside." Now the mission is to help Sweden win gold at the World Men's Under-18s in Switzerland. The national squad is off to a great start with three wins in a row, enabling them to clinch the top spot in Group A before they had even finished the round-robin. With Team USA soaring in Group B, it seems almost inevitable that those two squads will clash for gold, though anything can happen at this tournament. Sweden has won two of the past three golds at the under-18s and medalled in the past four tournaments. With Sandin Pellikka on the prowl, they have a chance to add another to the collection.
