The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton spoke with Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka regarding his summertime spent at home in Gallivere, Sweden, as well as his belief that the Swedes will bring home Gold at the World Junior Championship in Gothenburg this winter:
While gold in Gothenburg represents the latest target for him to pursue, Sandin Pellikka is no stranger to representing his country on an international stage. “I played with the national team now—this is my third season from U-17 to U-18 to U-20,” he explains. “We always have the same playing system, so I’m pretty used to it, and all of the guys are used to it too. Of course, the first practices are a little off, but you’ll get there eventually.”
He says that his experience at the 2023 World Junior in the Maritimes (at which Sweden finished fourth, falling to Czechia in overtime in the medal round and to the U.S. in the bronze medal game) “is not that much on my mind.”
“I mean I’m just gonna go out there and play my game and help the team as much as I can, so just play my game and just be relaxed,” he continues.
