Red Wings Prospect to Play For Sweden

“He just keeps taking steps, he’s never satisfied,” Hallam said. “We felt we really wanted to test him at this level.

“It’s a step up. I’m absolutely convinced he has the puck game in him. Then it’ll be fun to see him in the game without the puck here, too.”

Red Wings Pick Latest Swedish Youngster To Get Call

Since taking over as boss of the national team, Hallam has made it a point to include up-and-coming stars in his team’s program. In past seasons, both Leo Carlsson and Felix Unger Sorum were getting opportunities to be suiting up with the national team as teenagers.

Now it’s Sandin Pellikka’s turn to show what he can do.

“This will be an addition to the development of Axel Sandin-Pellikka,” Hallam said. “It’s great to have him in this group of established players.”

Sandin Pellikka recently was serving as Sweden’s captain at the IIHF World Junior Championship, where he won his second straight top defenseman award.

“He comes from the JVM and things are moving quickly,” Hallam said. “We don’t know where the season will end. There is a World Cup and then there is also a future where we will hopefully see him more in the Tre Kronor jersey.

“We want to give him the chance to have this experience before he has time to move to North America.”

The Beijer Hockey Games begin for Sweden on Feb. 6 against Czechia. Former Red Wings forwards Christoffer Ehn and Jacob de la Rose are joining Sandin Pellikka on the Swedish roster.

Sandin Pellikka will be coached by a familiar face. Swedish world junior coach Magnus Havelid will be behind the bench. Hallam is in North America, where he’ll be coaching Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond and Sweden in the upcoming Four Nations Face-Off.