GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Friday assigned defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In addition, the Red Wings recalled defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker from the Griffins. 

Sandin-Pellikka, a fifth-year pro, has competed in seven games with the Red Wings this season, showing one assist, four penalty minutes and a minus-one rating. Last season as an NHL rookie, the 21-year-old posted 21 points (7-14—21), 18 penalty minutes and a minus-20 rating in 68 outings with Detroit. 

At the AHL level with Grand Rapids, Sandin-Pellikka has four points (2-2—4), and two penalty minutes in eight regular-season games across parts of two seasons from 2024-26. Last year, the Gallivare, Sweden, native logged three points (2-1—3) in six regular-season AHL games before showing four points (1-3—4) in eight Calder Cup Playoff appearances. 

Prior to coming to North America, Sandin-Pellikka was named the 2024-25 Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year when he paced all SHL juniors in goals (12) and points (29). He was also named the 2025 World Junior Championship Best Defenseman when he served as captain for Team Sweden and tallied 10 points (4-6—10) in seven outings. Throughout his three-year SHL career from 2022-25, Sandin-Pellikka posted 52 points (24-28—52), 39 penalty minutes and a minus-seven rating in 107 contests. He was the 17th overall pick by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. 

Bernard-Docker appeared in three games with Grand Rapids and logged a plus-one rating and four penalty minutes, making his Griffins debut on Oct. 21 against Manitoba. Last season, the 26-year-old logged five points (1-4—5) and 25 penalty minutes in 63 games with the Red Wings. Throughout his seven-year NHL career since 2020-21, Bernard-Docker has 29 points (7-22—29) and 82 penalty minutes in 207 appearances. Bernard-Docker has seen action in four AHL seasons and has totaled 15 points (4-11—15), 63 penalty minutes and a plus-17 rating in 104 regular-season games.  

Bernard-Docker collected a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2021 World Championship and suited up for 10 outings. He also became a two-time NCHC regular-season champion at the University of North Dakota (2019-21). Finally, Bernard-Docker won another gold medal with Team Canada U20 at the 2020 World Junior Championship. He was selected with the 26th overall pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. 

Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information. Single-game tickets for the Griffins’ 2026-27 season can be purchased through griffinshockey.com/tickets.

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins