Red Wings Notebook: Sandin Pellikka Excited For NHL Challenge
The Daily: Sedin in Soccer, Panthers Toast Engagement, Nemec Beefed Up
Favorite Team of Red Wings Raymond Sounds Hauntingly Familiar
Red Wings Hamonic Talks About How Senators Got it Done
The Daily: Sandin Pellikka 18th on Daily Faceoff List; Lyon vs. Gibson
Could Brandsegg-Nygard be a Sleeper to Make Red Wings Roster? (+)
Three Unheralded Griffins Tracking Toward NHL (+)
Prospect Update: Red Wings’ Bulldog On a Long Leash (+)
The Red Wings’ Top 10 Prospects and Their Detroit ETA (+)
Red Wings Hope to Find Gems At Bottom of NHL Draft (+)
Vrana scores in first SHL preseason game
Published
on
By
As Axel Sandin Pellikka’s first NHL training camp with the Detroit Red Wings nears, he’s channeling his inner Pointer Sisters.
He’s so excited. And he just can’t hide it.
“I’m really excited about the chance to experience the dream I’ve had since I was 14,” Sandin Pellikka told writer Gunnar Nordstrom of Swedish website Expressen.
Chosen 17th overall by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL entry draft, Sandin Pellikka’s arrival in Detroit is much anticipated by the team’s fanbase. He’s a two-time winner of the top defenseman at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Sandin Pellikka also rewrote the Swedish Hockey League record book for scoring marks by junior-aged defensemen.
He got a taste of the North American game late last season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. In preparation for his first NHL camp, Sandin Pellikka has already spent over a week in Detroit.
Playing his first game for Linkoping in the SHL preseason, former Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana scored the only goal as his club lost 5-1 to Rogle.
Jakub Vrana målskytt direkt i återkomsten 🚨
Se Rögle-Linköping här: https://t.co/qf31eJai0k pic.twitter.com/CESd9S5D4U
— TV4 Hockey (@TV4_Hockey) August 27, 2025
Afterward, Vrana drew comparisons between the NHL and SHL, as he was back in the latter league for the first time since 2015.
“I would say this is a really high-tempo level,” Vrana told Swedish website HockeyNews.se following the game. “Everyone is skating really fast, and it’s quick.
“I would say that it’s (the SHL) a lot less systematic (than the NHL) when I compare it to North America, but more direct.”
Another ex-Red Wings forward has also found a new home. Journeyman right-winger Givani Smith has landed a PTO with the Carolina Hurricanes.
* puts vacation on pause to tell you that *
The #Canes have signed defenseman Oliver Kylington and forward Givani Smith to professional tryouts (PTOs).https://t.co/LNgaUddwsR
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) August 27, 2025
Smith played 85 games with the Red Wings from 2019-23. He led the club with 108 PIM in 2021-22.
Playing three games that season alongside his brother Gemel Smith, they also made a bit of franchise history. The Smiths were the first brothers to suit up together for the Red Wings in a game since Frank and Peter Mahovlich in 1969.
Favorite Team of Red Wings Raymond Sounds Hauntingly Familiar
Red Wings Hamonic Talks About How Senators Got it Done
Swedish Club’s Defense Goes Two Deep in Red Wings Draftees
Enter your email address to sign-up and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Copyright © 2023 National Hockey Now and Detroit Hockey Now. In no way affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings or the National Hockey League.
Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.
Continue reading
Hockey News