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2025-26 Player in Review: Axel Sandin-Pellikka

2025-26 Player in Review: Axel Sandin-Pellikka

Jul 23, 2026

Written By: Andrew Streitel

Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka competed in his first full season in North America and totaled three points (2-1—3) in six regular-season games with the Griffins. He then added four points (1-3—4), two penalty minutes and a plus-one rating in eight playoff outings. The 21-year-old scored his first AHL goal on March 24 against the Milwaukee Admirals and collected his first Calder Cup Playoff goal on May 8 against the Manitoba Moose.

Sandin-Pellikka was one of three rookies to make the Detroit Red Wings’ opening-night roster out of training camp and spent the majority of the year in the NHL. With Detroit, Sandin-Pellikka logged 21 points (7-14—21), 18 penalty minutes and a minus-20 rating in 68 appearances. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens and notched his first NHL point with a goal on Oct. 17 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Regular Season Stat Line

68 GP, 7 goals, 14 assists, 21 points, -20 rating, 18 PIM with DET
6 GP, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, +0 rating, 0 PIM with GRG

Postseason Stat Line

8 GP, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, +1 rating, 2 PIM with GRG

Contract Status

Under contract by Detroit through the 2027-28 season

By the Numbers

24 – Scored first AHL goal during season debut on March 24 against Milwaukee

3 – Three-game point streak in AHL during regular season from March 24-28 (2-1—3)

8 – Collected first Calder Cup Playoff point with a goal on May 8 against Manitoba

3 – Three-game point streak in Calder Cup Playoffs from May 8-16 (1-3—4)

9 – Made NHL debut with Detroit on Oct. 9 against Montreal

17 – Notched first NHL point with a goal on Oct. 17 against Tampa Bay

25 – First NHL assist on Oct. 25 against the St. Louis Blues

2 – Accumulated two points in NHL on Dec. 8 at the Vancouver Canucks (0-2—2), Jan. 8 against Vancouver (1-1—2) and April 5 against the Minnesota Wild (1-1—2)

3 – Season-high three-game assist streak from Dec. 4-8 (4 assists)

4 – Season-best four-game point streak from Dec. 4-10 (1-4—5)

18 – First-career power-play goal in NHL on Jan. 18 against the Ottawa Senators