Sweden's Axel Sandin Pellikka in action at the 2023 U18 World Championship.
Sweden’s Axel Sandin Pellikka is growing up fast. A year ago, the Skelleftea defender was on the long list for his country’s U17s. His numbers for his club’s age group teams were decent, but not headline grabbing.
Twelve months later, the blue liner has matured into a potent attacking threat and graduated to playing in higher age groups. He was part of the Swedish World Junior roster that lost in the bronze medal game, and appeared regularly in the SHL and Champions Hockey League for Skelleftea. On day one here in Switzerland, he had a stunning five-point game as Sweden thrashed Canada. So what’s changed?
The man himself puts it down to belief. “I feel like I’ve gained more confidence,” he said. “I had a good start to the season. At the Hlinka [where he helped Sweden win silver] I felt like I played better than I did last season and after that I tried to build on what I’m good at.
Twelve months later, the blue liner has matured into a potent attacking threat and graduated to playing in higher age groups. He was part of the Swedish World Junior roster that lost in the bronze medal game, and appeared regularly in the SHL and Champions Hockey League for Skelleftea. On day one here in Switzerland, he had a stunning five-point game as Sweden thrashed Canada. So what’s changed?
The man himself puts it down to belief. “I feel like I’ve gained more confidence,” he said. “I had a good start to the season. At the Hlinka [where he helped Sweden win silver] I felt like I played better than I did last season and after that I tried to build on what I’m good at.
“I try to do extra practice, moving along the blue line, mostly offensive things but also defensive things.”
Axel’s attacking game gains most attention. At the end of the group phase in Switzerland, he has 6 (2+4) points. Among defenders, only Cole Hutson and Aron Kiviharju (both 0+7) have more. Scouting reports speak warmly of his shot and his ability to boss the power play.
But his defensive game is catching up fast. In Ajoie, he helped to silence Canada’s much-vaunted offence in the opening game, and is proving a more formidable obstacle for opposing forwards. Here, again, smooth skating and good use of the stick play their part: among the morst repeated clips from Friday’s victory over Slovakia was a deft Sandin Pellikka poke check to stop a counterattack before it started.
At Skelleftea, working with defence coach Pierre Johnson, that defensive progress has been the key to securing a big role for his club. Now, on international duty, Sandin Pellikka is enjoying his role on both sides of the puck. “Our D-side is really good,” he said. “Everyone can move the puck and not just defend, and we also have some big guys that can shut down on the PK.”
He also acknowledged the role of his partner on defence, Theo Lindstein. The pair have a strong understanding, with Lindstein enjoying the fact that his team-mate is “easy to play alongside”.
Sandin Pellikka has picked out the likes of Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes as the players he admires. However, the big influence on his career is closer to home.
“I probably have to say my father, Janne,” Axel said. “He has always helped me to practice, he would make me do those push-ups when I didn’t want to.
“Throughout my career, he’s always supported me and helped me train mentally.”
Initially, though, Janne hoped that his son would take up a different sport.
“He used to be a cross country skier, so that was the first sport I tried,” Axel added. “Of course, he wanted his son to do the same sport as him.
“But then my grandfather bought me hockey equipment for Christmas when I was about five or six years old. After that I told my dad I wanted to quit cross country skiing and we started going to the rink.”
Skiing's loss is very definitely hockey’s gain.
Axel’s attacking game gains most attention. At the end of the group phase in Switzerland, he has 6 (2+4) points. Among defenders, only Cole Hutson and Aron Kiviharju (both 0+7) have more. Scouting reports speak warmly of his shot and his ability to boss the power play.
But his defensive game is catching up fast. In Ajoie, he helped to silence Canada’s much-vaunted offence in the opening game, and is proving a more formidable obstacle for opposing forwards. Here, again, smooth skating and good use of the stick play their part: among the morst repeated clips from Friday’s victory over Slovakia was a deft Sandin Pellikka poke check to stop a counterattack before it started.
At Skelleftea, working with defence coach Pierre Johnson, that defensive progress has been the key to securing a big role for his club. Now, on international duty, Sandin Pellikka is enjoying his role on both sides of the puck. “Our D-side is really good,” he said. “Everyone can move the puck and not just defend, and we also have some big guys that can shut down on the PK.”
He also acknowledged the role of his partner on defence, Theo Lindstein. The pair have a strong understanding, with Lindstein enjoying the fact that his team-mate is “easy to play alongside”.
Sandin Pellikka has picked out the likes of Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes as the players he admires. However, the big influence on his career is closer to home.
“I probably have to say my father, Janne,” Axel said. “He has always helped me to practice, he would make me do those push-ups when I didn’t want to.
“Throughout my career, he’s always supported me and helped me train mentally.”
Initially, though, Janne hoped that his son would take up a different sport.
“He used to be a cross country skier, so that was the first sport I tried,” Axel added. “Of course, he wanted his son to do the same sport as him.
“But then my grandfather bought me hockey equipment for Christmas when I was about five or six years old. After that I told my dad I wanted to quit cross country skiing and we started going to the rink.”
Skiing's loss is very definitely hockey’s gain.