Carter Mazur's Upside This morning, the Swedish hockey federation released its 23-man roster for the forthcoming World Junior Championship, which will begin later this month, and it featured a pair of Detroit Red Wings defensive prospects: Axel Sandin Pellikka and Anton Johansson. Sandin Pellikka—one of two Detroit first round picks at last June's NHL Draft—has been enjoying a remarkable season for Skellefteå AIK's senior team at just 18 years old. In 23 SHL games, he has posted eight goals and four assists, with three more goals and an assist in eight Champions Hockey League contests. Given that extraordinary production and the fact that he played for the Swedes at the event last year at just 17, it comes as no surprise to see his name on this roster. Johansson's inclusion in this Swedish team was not quite so assured, but he too has enjoyed a nice start to his SHL campaign with Leksands IF, with three goals and three assists in 23 games. Sweden has not claimed gold at the WJC since the 2012 event in Edmonton and Calgary, and there will be a hint of extra pressure for Sandin Pellikka, Johansson, and company this time around, as they will be hosting the tournament in Gothenburg. Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Detroit Red Wings draft pick Axel Sandin Pellikka puts on his sweater after being selected with the seventeenth pick in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAyNzI0NzU3MTMxNTY4MTk2/usatsi_20963916.jpg] Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Detroit Red Wings draft pick Axel Sandin Pellikka puts on his sweater after being selected with the seventeenth pick in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. ALSO FROM THN DETROIT Patrick Kane Set to Make Red Wings Debut Tomorrow Night vs. San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/patrick-kane-set-to-make-red-wings-debut-tomorrow-night-vs-san-jose-sharks] Jake Walman Fined for High-Sticking Jeff Skinner [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/jake-walman-fined-for-high-sticking-jeff-skinner] Red Wings 5, Sabres 3: Diverse Attack and Alex Lyon Help Detroit Stave Off Late Scare in Buffalo [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-5-sabres-3-diverse-attack-and-alex-lyon-help-detroit-stave-off-late-scare-in-buffalo] Projected Lines, Lyon Starts and Lalonde Downplays a Goalie Rotation, & Tage Thompson Returns from Injury: Red Wings-Sabres Game Day Notebook & Where to Watch [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/projected-lines-lyon-starts-and-lalonde-downplays-a-goalie-rotation-tage-thompson-returns-from-injury-red-wings-sabres-game-day-notebook-where-to-watch] How Hard Will it Be for Patrick Kane to Come Back from Hip Re-Surfacing Surgery? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/how-hard-will-it-be-for-patrick-kane-to-come-back-from-hip-re-surfacing-surgery] "The Exciting Thing is My Body Feels Good": Patrick Kane Debriefs First Full Practice as a Detroit Red Wing [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/patrick-kane-the-exciting-thing-is-my-body-feels-good] Red Wings Injury Update: J.T. Compher Takes a Maintenance Day, Patrick Kane Unlikely to Debut against Buffalo [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-injury-update-j-t-compher-takes-a-maintenance-day-patrick-kane-unlikely-to-debut-at-buffalo] Detroit Carries Play, DeBrincat and Compher Star, Husso Struggles: Red Wings-Canadiens Statistical Review [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/detroit-carries-play-debrincat-and-compher-star-husso-struggles-red-wings-canadiens-statistical-review] Red Wings 5, Canadiens 4 (OT): "I love the fact that we found a way to get two full points" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-5-canadiens-4-ot-i-love-the-fact-that-we-found-a-way-to-get-two-full-points] "Dave loves Dave, and I love Dave": Flowers for David Perron after his 300th NHL Goal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/dave-loves-dave-and-i-love-dave-flowers-for-david-perron-after-his-300th-nhl-goal] “The Player He’s Been”: On Unforgiven, Anti-Heroes, and Patrick Kane & Steve Yzerman’s Uncertain Optimism [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/features/the-player-hes-been-on-unforgiven-anti-heroes-and-patrick-kane-steve-yzermans-uncertain-optimism]
