A Milestone Season
At just 21, Axel Sandin-Pellikka stepped onto the ice for his first full North American season, a milestone that marked his transition from the Finnish leagues to the competitive environment of the AHL and NHL.
He appeared in six regular‑season games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, contributing three points, and added four more in eight playoff contests. The young defenseman then earned a spot on the Detroit Red Wings’ opening‑night roster, spending the bulk of the campaign with the club and logging 21 points over 68 NHL appearances.
Key Moments
Sandin-Pellikka’s debut came on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens, and he recorded his first NHL point a week later with a goal versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. Earlier in the year he celebrated his first AHL goal on March 24 versus the Milwaukee Admirals and later added his inaugural Calder Cup playoff goal on May 8 against the Manitoba Moose.
Beyond the stat sheet, the Finnish blueliner secured a contract that runs through the 2027‑28 season, signaling the organization’s confidence in his continued development.
Looking Ahead
With a promising trajectory and a multi‑year agreement in place, Sandin-Pellikka is poised to build on this season’s experience as he aims to become a staple on the Red Wings’ defensive core.