Alex Sandin Pellikka showcased his skills as the top prospect for the Detroit Red Wings outside of North America during the World Junior Championship, earning the title of the tournament’s best defenseman for Sweden. Despite his impressive performance, Sweden lost to the United States 6-2 in the gold medal game.
Unfortunately, the talented defenseman is now facing an indefinite period on the sidelines for his Swedish League club, Skelleftea, due to an undisclosed injury. Skelleftea coach Robert Ohlsson confirmed the injury, stating that Sandin Pellikka won’t be playing for at least the next week and expressing his disappointment. The exact nature of the injury was revealed by Skelleftea team doctor Karin Granburg, who mentioned that Sandin Pellikka suffered an upper-body injury and is currently in a plaster cast.
Despite the setback, there is optimism within the team regarding Sandin Pellikka’s recovery. Skelleftea goaltender Mattias Hallberg expressed confidence in the rehabilitation process, anticipating a full recovery in the coming weeks. The 18-year-old defenseman had an impressive showing in the World Junior Championship, contributing two goals and four assists in seven games, including the overtime goal in a quarterfinal victory over Switzerland. In his 25 games with Skelleftea, he has accumulated nine goals and 13 points.
Notably, the Detroit Red Wings selected Sandin Pellikka as the 17th overall pick in the 2023 draft, acquiring the pick from the Vancouver Canucks in the Filip Hronek trade.
