Sebastian Cossa isn’t the only Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect turning heads in the minor pro ranks. Save some props for Jan Bednar.

The 21-year-old rookie pro with the Toledo Walleye is the ECHL goaltender of the month for March. Bednar went 6-1-0 in eight appearances during the month. He would post two shutouts, along with a 1.59 goals-against average and a save percentage of .939.

ANOTHA ONE Jan Bednar of the @ToledoWalleye has been named the @WarriorHockey #ECHL Goaltender of the Month for March pic.twitter.com/fKcN1W2CUX

— ECHL (@ECHL) April 3, 2024

He allowed two goals or less in six of his seven starts. Bednar stopped all 25 shots in a 3-0 win against Iowa on March 3 and all 25 shots in a 3-0 victory at Greenville on March 16.

Detroit’s 107th overall selection in the 2020 NHL entry draft, Bednar is under contract to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, Bednar is 18-7-2 in 32 appearances with the Walleye this season. He is tied for second in the ECHL with three shutouts while ranking 11th with a 2.74 goals-against average.

Red Wings Prospect Gibson Feted For Defensive Prowess

While it’s been a season in which Red Wings draftee Andrew Gibson (42nd overall, 2023) has been flexing his offensive muscles, it was his defensive acumen that was earning the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman recognition. He is rated among the top three Western Conference defenders in two categories of the OHL Coaches Poll.

Getting their flowers
Congrats on Owen Allard, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Arttu Karki, Jack Beck and Andrew Gibson being recognized in the OHL Coaches Poll
RESULTS : https://t.co/4Ek9GheDip#FearTheNorth | @OHLHockey

— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) April 3, 2024

Gibson, Thomas Budnick of the Guelph Storm and Taos Jordan of the Owen Sound Attack each garnered 16 votes to share top spot as the conference’s best shot blocker. Gibson also would finish third in the voting for the best defensive defenseman.

The 19-year-old rearguard put up career-highs in goals (12), assists (32) and points (44) this season for the Soo, while also posting a plus-36 rating. The Greyhounds are on to the second round of the OHL playoffs after sweeping the Storm.

Ice Chips

Red Wings draft pick Anton Johansson (105th, 2022) and Leksands lost 3-2 in overtime to Frolunda in Game 7 of their SHL quarterfinal series . . . Center Nate Danielson (9th, 2023) dished out four assists as the Portland Winterhawks were sweeping Victoria in the opening round of the WHL playoffs . . . The Griffins signed forward Hunter Johannes to an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2023-24 AHL campaign. He also agreed to terms on a standard player’s contract for the 2024-25 season. Johannes, 25, collected 19 points this season playing college hockey at North Dakota . . . Center Brady Gilmour, a 2017 draftee of the Red Wings (193rd overall), has joined the Walleye. He was recently named top player of the U Sports playoffs while leading New Brunswick to the national title.

The post Red Wings Prospect Report: Bednar Top ECHL Goalie; Gibson Gains OHL Recognition appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Big performances from a pair of Detroit Red Wings defensive prospects are highlighting the quarterfinals of the SHL playoffs.

Already, Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall, 2023) and Skelleftea are through to the semifinals. They swept aside Linkpoing, and Sandin Pellikka was a big reason why this was so.

Sandin Pellikka

TW: deception, edgework, disgusting skill pic.twitter.com/84MD6aZfAw

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 1, 2024

Over the four games, Sandin Pellikka would account for a goal and two assists. And what a massive goal it was. He would score in the third overtime period of Game 3, bringing to an end the sixth-longest game in SHL playoff history.

With star defenseman and team captain Jonathan Pudas missing through injury, Sandin Pellikka, 19, is stepping up to help fill that void. He would log average ice time of 27:40 over Skelleftea’s four quarterfinal games.

He’s also making it a habit to net huge tallies. It was Sandin Pellikka’s OT marker against Switzerland in the quarterfinals at the world junior championship that was moving Sweden into the gold-medal match.

Red Wings Johansson Making Most Of Chances

While Sandin Pellikka’s elite offensive skills are what have the Red Wings excited about his potential, don’t sleep on fellow defensive prospect Anton Johansson (105th overall, 2022). Skating in the third pairing and garnering just 11:47 of ice time per game for Leksands IF, Johansson is certainly making the most of his opportunities when he’s taking his shifts.

Anton Johansson helped force a Game 7 in Leksand's quarterfinal matchup against Frölunda.

With a goal + assist he's up to 4 points in 6 playoff games. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/2f8auLdDXj

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 1, 2024

Leksands was facing elimination in Game 6 of their quarterfinal series against Frolunda. Johansson would pot a goal and dish out an assist in a 5-2 victory. Over the six games, he’s been good for two goals and two assists. That ties Johansson for the team scoring lead.

Leksands is using 2016 Red Wings draftee Filip Larsson in goal. He’s gone 3-0-1 with a shutout, a 1.68 GAA and .936 save percentage.

Game 7 between Leksands and Frolunda is set for Wednesday, with a 1 p.m. ET start. The winner of the contest will be opening the best-of-seven semifinal series against Sandin Pellikka and Skelleftea on Friday.

The post Red Wings Prospects Starring in Swedish Playoffs appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Evidently, his heart may not be the only part of Detroit Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka’s body that was broken at the recent IIHF World Junior Championship.

Swedish wedsite Sportbladet.se broke the story that Sandin Pellikka will be missing a significant portion of the SHL season. According to the report, the Detroit first-round puck suffering a serious injury while playing for Sweden at the WJC. While the story wasn’t revealing the exact nature of the injury, Sandin Pellikka did undergo x-rays following the tournament to determine the extent of the damage. Expectations are that he will be missing in action for as much as 1-2 months.

OVERTIME WINNER

Axel Sandin Pellikka sends Sweden to the semifinals!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8brD3erzhT

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2024

Skelleftea team doctor Karin Granberg was telling Swedish website Norran.se that Sandin Pellikka was dealing with a serious upper-body injury.

“Axel has suffered an upper body injury and is in a plaster cast,” Granberg wrote in a text message to Norran. He declined to be more specific on the nature of the injury.

According to the report, Sandin Pellikka played through the injury during the WJC. He gained recognition as the tournament’s top defenseman. Sweden won the silver medal, losing 6-2 to the USA in the gold-medal game.

Accounting for six points (2-4-6) in seven games, Sandin Pellikka’s tally included an overtime winner in the quarterfinals against Switzerland.

Banner Season For Sandin Pellikka

This was just the latest honor the game was bestowing upon Red Wings hopeful Sandin Pellikka. In his first season since Detroit made him the 17th overall selection of the 2023 NHL entry draft, the 18-year-old is leading all SHL defenders with nine goals.

Skelleftea is playing Czech club Vitkovice in the Champions League semi-finals on Thursday but will be doing so minus their teenage sensation.

Robert Ohlsson, coach of Skelleftea, Sandin Pellikka’s club in the SHL, was confirming the injury to Sportbladet.

“It is true that he is injured and that our doctors need to look at him,” Ohlsson told Sportbladet. “What I know now is that he won’t play for the next week anyway. It’s sad.”

Axel Sandin Pellikka (DET) was one of the most well-rounded defencemen at the tournament. As expected, he was very good in transition and at generating his own chances.

Also responsible for the second-most defensive plays among Swedish defencemen. #LGRW https://t.co/OhVfW4lZYJ pic.twitter.com/PrpC1Q9l0D

— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) January 6, 2024

Skelleftea goaltender Mattias Hallberg also acknowledged the serious nature of his teammate’s injury to Swedish website Expressen.se.

“What I can say is that he was examined with an x-ray here in Växjö yesterday and unfortunately it shows an injury which means that he is not available for games for the next few weeks,” Hallberg said.

“We in the fellow team are optimistic and believe that his rehabilitation process will go well. We expect him to be fully recovered soon and ready for full play again in a few weeks.”

The post Red Wings Prospect Sandin Pellikka Out With Serious Upper-Body Injury appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Anton Johansson is being criticized in hockey circles for his poor sportsmanship following a late-game altercation as Sweden lost 6-2 to the USA in Friday’s IIHF World Junior Championship gold-medal game.

With less than a minute to play in the game, Johansson was sent over the boards by Swedish coach Magnus Havelid for his first shift of the game. Almost immediately, a melee ensued and Johansson sought to engage USA defenseman Lane Hutson in a scrap.

Lane Hutson not backing down from 6’4 Anton Johansson. pic.twitter.com/LL4COVtILD

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 5, 2024

Johansson was assessed a roughing minor and 10-minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct. That outcome wound up leaving him with the unusual stat line of just 12 seconds of ice time and 12 minutes in penalties.

“He came out on the ice looking for a fight,” Hutson told Swedish website Aftonbladet.com. “I didn’t want to take it, but I had to stand up for myself and my teammates. I definitely wasn’t expecting that, but it’s part of the game. It happens. He answered the bell. It was a good battle between me and him.

“Yes, they got a bit grumpy at the end, but that’s what happens.”

Red Wings Pick Not Instructed To Fight

The American players wondered aloud whether Johansson was told to start something when he entered the game at such a late stage.

“Was it his first shift?,” asked USA player Frank Nazar. “I hope they didn’t send him out to do that.”

Havelid vehemently denied any suggestion that he was sending Johansson over the boards in garbage time in order to be starting a fight.

“No, it wasn’t,” Havelid said. “I have no comment on that.”

Johansson also declined comment when asked about the matter.

Some physical play and big hits through the opening 10 minutes#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/sYtexUn6Dp

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2023

The player Detroit chose 105th overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft saw very limited action throughout the tournament. However, Johansson was providing a physical presence in his rare appearances on the ice. He was dishing out some big hits.

However, even Swedish commentators felt his actions at the end of the gold-medal game were crossing the line.

“I understand that there are a lot of emotions, but that is just sad,” former NHLer Jonas Andersson said about the fight. The ex-Nashville Predator was working the game for SVT, Sweden’s national public television broadcaster.

The post Red Wings Pick Johansson Under Fire For WJC Scrap appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

For the fifth tournament in succession, there will be Detroit Red Wings prospects adorned with medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Sweden is playing the USA for the gold medal on Friday. Detroit picks Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th, 2023) and Anton Johansson (105th, 2022) play on the Swedish defense. Trey Augustine (41st, 2023) is a goaltender for Team USA.

Augustine made 19 saves to earn the win as the USA edged Finland 3-2 in one of Thursday’s semifinal games. The Michigan State Spartans netminder won a bronze with the American squad at last year’s tournament, prior to his being selected by the Red Wings in the NHL entry.

THERE HE IS! THE SWEDISH SUPERSTAR SANDIN PELLIKKA FOR THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/3E5OQNPoJz

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 4, 2024

Sweden downed Czechia 5-2 in the other semifinal. The host nation for the tournament got a goal and an assist from Sandin Pellikka, who plays for Skelleftea in the SHL. Sandin Pellikka shot the puck into a gaping Czech net to put the Swedes ahead 2-1.

“As soon as I look up, there is basically no goalkeeper there,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Aftonbladet.se. “Then it was just a matter of sending it in.”

Later, he drew the primary assist on the power-play goal that gave Sweden the lead for good at 3-2.

It was Sandin Pellikka’s overtime goal giving Sweden a 3-2 victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

The Swedes were receiving a surprise visit from a Swedish hockey icon prior to Thursday’s game. Hockey Hall of Fame netminder and 2006 Olympic gold medalist Henrik Lundqvist game the squad a pre-game pep talk.

“It was perhaps what made us win,” Sandin Pellikka said. “It is difficult to understand what he has done for the New York Rangers as an organization and how great he really is. It’s great fun.”

Red Wings Pick Savage Earned Bronze in 2023

Last year, Red Savage (114th, 2021) was the only Red Wings pick playing in the WJC. Currently a teammate of Augustine’s at Michigan State, Savage was part of the USA squad that won bronze.

Trey Augustine simply doing Trey Augustine things. The freshman turned aside 19 of the 21 shots he faced this afternoon, including this UNREAL save late in the third when Finland made things 6-on-4.

Courtesy: @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/TC5SFIjRQv

— Haley Schoengart (@HaleyPaige7) January 4, 2024

In 2022, Detroit picks gathered up a half dozen medals. Goalie Sebastian Cossa (15th, 2021) and defenseman Donovan Sebrango (63rd, 2020) won gold with Canada. Defenseman Emil Viro (70th, 2020) was picking up a silver with Finland. Forward Theodor Niederbach (51st, 2020) and defensemen Simon Edvinsson (6th, 2021) and William Wallinder (32nd, 2020) won bronze with Sweden.

Viro also won a bronze medal with Finland at the 2021 tournament. In 2020, center Joe Veleno (30th, 2018) and defenseman Jared McIsaac (36th, 2018) were golden with Canada. Forward Jonatan Berggren (33rd, 2018) and goalie Jesper Eliasson (84th, 2018) were earning bronze for Sweden.

The post Medal Fest Continues for Red Wings Prospects at WJC appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When the point shot from Detroit Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka dented the twine of the Swiss net, it assured that Sweden would live to fight another day in the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Moments later, Sandin Pellikka was wondering whether he’d live to take another breath.

“I  felt pure joy. I just want to scream and hug the boys,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Expressen.se.

Be careful what you wish for. Within seconds of scoring the overtime winner for Sweden in Tuesday’s 3-2 WJC quarterfinal victory against Switzerland, Sandin Pellikka found himself at the bottom of a pile of yellow and blue clad Three Crowns teammates.

“It went from joy to pure panic,” Sandin Pellikka said. “I couldn’t breathe, so I yelled at the guys to get off. But I survived, so don’t worry.”

What a quote from Sweden's overtime hero #LGRW pic.twitter.com/JWkUfMcSus

— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) January 2, 2024

Sweden will be meeting Czechia in the semifinals on Thursday in Gothenburg. The Swedes are seeking their first world junior title since 2012. The USA, including Red Wings goalie prospect Trey Augustine (41st overall, 2023 NHL entry draft), and Finland clash in the other semifinal game.

Though his 1-2-3 numbers through six WJC games don’t overwhelm, Sandin Pellikka is drawing rave reviews for overall play at the tournament from hockey people attending the event. It’s a continuation of what’s proving to be a breakout campaign for the defenseman chosen 17th overall by Detroit in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Playing for Skelleftea, Sandin Pellikka, 18, is leading the league in goals by a defenseman with nine. He’s tallied at least three more goals than any other defender in the league.

Red Wings Pick Johansson A Stopper

While Sandin Pellikka is known for his offensive touch, the other Red Wings prospect patrolling the rearguard for the Swedes is delivering a physical presence for the Swedes. Anton Johansson (105th, 2022) has dished out some punishing hits in the tournament. One of his stiff bodychecks in Sweden’s 2-0 win over Canada led to a verbal exchange between Johansson and the Canadian bench.

Big hit from Anton Anton Johansson results in a two-minute boarding penalty. Should this have been reviewed for a major? #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/qCbR6W4sE9

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2023

Perhaps the most interesting part of Johansson’s path to this event comes from the knowledge that he’s only been playing defense for four years. Johansson was first a goaltender in youth hockey, stopping pucks through the age of 13. At 14, he gave forward a go for a season. It wasn’t until he turned 15 that Johansson took up with the blueline brigade.

He believes having experienced all positions on the ice has only served to make him a more well-rounded player.

“I think you feel good about trying different things,” Johansson told Expressen.se.

The post Red Wings Prospect Sandin Pellikka Nearly Smothered In Glory appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Two Detroit Red Wings prospects are going on in the medal round at the IIHF World Junior Championship and one is going home.

Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall, 2023) assured that the host nation would survive to play in the semifinals. His overtime goal gave Sweden a 3-2 victory over Switzerland.

“I had aimed at that place three times before, but then I missed the entire target cage,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Aftonbladet.se. “So it was lucky that the last one went in.”

It was the first goal of the tournament for the defenseman who has netted nine goals in SHL action this season for Skelleftea. He’s collected 1-2-3 totals through six games of tourney play.

“It was absolutely magical,” Sandin Pellikka said. “I didn’t understand what happened. I just heard people screaming.

“It was damn nice to see it go in and I’m happy that we came out victorious from this fight.”

OVERTIME WINNER

Axel Sandin Pellikka sends Sweden to the semifinals!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8brD3erzhT

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2024

Sandin Pellikka’s success was enjoyed by the home crowd in Gothenburg, including 15 members of his family. Afterward, Sandin Pellikka was able to share a hug with his parents Janne and Josefin.

“Great fun that they always come along and check,” Sandin Pellikka said. “It is a boost to know that they are in the stands.”

A look at Axel Sandin Pellikka’s goal and the Swedish celebration from above.

That was a fun one. pic.twitter.com/DbbZq2Svrz

— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) January 2, 2024

Fellow Red Wings pick Anton Johansson (105th, 2022) is also patrolling the blueline for the Swedish defense at the WJC.

Red Wings Top Pick Heading home

Center Nate Danielson, selected ninth overall by Detroit in the 2023 NHL entry draft, eight picks prior to Sandin Pellikka, wasn’t so fortunate. He’ll be heading home empty handed after Canada was upset 3-2 by Czechia.

Danielson finished the tournament with a goal, two assists and a plus-two rating from five games.

Goaltender Trey Augustine (41st, 2023) was watching from the bench as the USA dismantled Latvia in their quarterfinal match. The Red Wings goaltending prospect is showing a 1.50 goals-against average and .952 save percentage for the tournament.

Semifinal action will be taking place on Friday. The Swedes will be playing Czechia, while the USA is battling with Finland.

The post Red Wings Pick Sandin Pellikka Heroic for Swedes at WJC appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings draftee Anton Johansson is discovering that when you’re a budding NHL prospect who shares an on-ice trait with Wayne Gretzky, it’s going to go viral.

Footage of Sweden defenseman Johansson sprinkling baby powder on the shaft of his hockey stick at the IIHF World Junior Championship is all over social media. And he’s since come to learn that it’s a preparation trait that he shares with the Great One himself.

While rewriting the NHL record book in the 1980s and 1990s, Gretzky always would use baby powder on the shaft of his stick.

Anton Johansson gör som Gretzky.https://t.co/nPtw93ElJQ

— Adam Johansson (@adamjjohansson) January 1, 2024

“I heard it just now,” Johansson told Swedish website Expressen.se about this trait he has in common with Gretzky. “But it’s fun.”

Not to mention that it’s getting his name spoken in the same sentence as the sport’s greatest scorer.

“Haha, yes, that’s how it has turned out,” Johansson said.

In actuality, Johansson’s reason for applying the baby powder is identical to Gretzky’s rationale.

“I don’t want so much grip up there,” Johansson explained. “It will simply be a little smoother (with the baby powder). I don’t like it when the grip tape gets sticky.”

Red Wings Pick Big Hit For Swedes

Certainly, Axel Sandin Pellikka, the 17th overall choice in the 2023 NHL entry draft, was the Detroit defensive prospect who came into the world juniors with much more hype. Johansson (105th overall, 2022), though, is delivering for Sweden in a different fashion.

Some physical play and big hits through the opening 10 minutes#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/sYtexUn6Dp

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2023

Although often seeing limited ice time among the seven Swedish defenseman, Johansson is proving to be a punishing physical presence. He was delvering some big-time hits in Sweden’s wins over Canada and Germany.

“It has been up and down,” Johansson admitted of his ice time at the WJC. “I’m trying to get into the stuff and I’ve been playing well in several games. I want to spread energy to the group.”

The post Red Wings Prospect Johansson Shares Gretzky Trait appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Technically, Alexander Lundqvist isn’t part of the Detroit Red Wings organization. At the same time, it would be patently wrong not to consider him as a member of the Red Wings’ extended family.

That’s because Lundqvist, a defenseman in the SHL with Leksands IF, is the nephew of a Detroit Hockey Hall of famer. Lundqvist’s uncle is a Red Wings legend, seven-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom.

Matchens krigare idag är Alexander Lundqvist. Matchens krigare presenteras av Nils Olsson Dalahästar och Leksand Superstars. #leksandsif pic.twitter.com/sPlJCdlA2L

— Leksands IF (@leksands_if) September 25, 2021

And his uncle, who certainly knows a thing or two about playing defense, is liking what he’s been seeing of late from his nephew on the ice.

“I think he has been good and stable in the game when he has had more ice time,” Lidstrom, currently vice-president of hockey operations for the Red Wings, told Swedish website Aftonbladet.se. “And he just signed a new contract too.”

Shortly after inking that new long-term deal with Leksands, Lundqvist was collecting a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over Malmo.

Teammate Of Red Wings Draftee

Lundqvist is skating on the same Leskands defense with Detroit 2022 draft pick Anton Johansson. Johansson is currently playing with Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

His father Stefan Lundqvist was a longtime SHL player for Brynas. Undrafted in the NHL, Alexander Lundqvist, 22, has accounted for 3-4-7 totals in 28 games with Leksand this season. He’s averaging 20:47 of ice time per game and is a plus-nine.

Alexander Lundqvist kvitterar för Leksand mot Luleå 2-2, assisterad av Emil Heineman och Nils Åman. #J20gifs #lifse pic.twitter.com/RKlaranPsw

— Anton (@bolaniii9) October 18, 2019

Lidstrom also has three of his sons playing at a high level of hockey this season. His son Samuel, 23, is playing this season Mjolby, a new team in Hockeyettan, the third tier of Swedish hockey. He’s a forward.

The youngest Lidstromg sibling, Lucas, 19, is playing for the Wings in 2023-24 – the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL. They’re situated in South Dakota. Just like dad, he’s a defenseman.

The oldest of the four Lidstrom sons, Kevin, 29, hung up his skates in 2021 after playing nine pro seasons in Sweden, mostly in Hockeyettan. Adam, 27, a center, is playing this season for Visby/Roma in Hockeyettan.

The post Nephew of Red Wings Legend Turning Heads in SHL appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

All of the first three players chosen by the Detroit Red Wings during the 2023 NHL entry draft figure to be playing in this year’s IIHF World Junior Championship.

Tuesday, center Nate Danielson (ninth overall) was given an invitation to Canada’s training camp. Goaltender Trey Augustine (41st overall) was also extended an invitation to the US Hockey camp. Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall) was previously getting picked to the pool under consideration for the Swedish squad.

Danielson shows 8-12-20 totals in 21 games this season with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. Meanwhile, Augustine is 9-3-2 with a .911 save percentage and 3.17 GAA for Michigan State of the Big Ten. He was part of the USA squad that won a bronze medal at last year’s tournament.

USA Hockey will be holding its world junior selection camp Dec. 14-16 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.

Red Wings Pick Sandin Pellikka Scores Again

Leading all SHL defensemen with eight goals, Sandin Pellikka was lighting the red lamp for the third time in Champions League competition on Tuesday. His goal wasn’t enough to get Skelleftea a win, however. They lost the first game of their quarterfinal to Farjestad by a 4-3 count.

Sandin Pellikka with his 3rd goal (8GP) in Champions Hockey League play #LGRW pic.twitter.com/iL18mvlbSG

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) December 5, 2023

Both Sandin Pellikka and 2022 Red Wings draftee Anton Johansson (105th overall) will be seeking spots on the Swedish defense for the world juniors.

James, Buium Go Head To Head

Two of the top NCAA hockey programs, each with a Red Wings prospect in their lineup, were clashing on the weekend. The 2022 NCAA champion Denver Pioneers and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

In Friday’s series opener, both North Dakota’s Dylan James (40th overall, 2022) and Denver defenseman Shai Buium (36th overall, 2021) were playing starring roles. Buium scored Denver’s first goal and assisted on two others as the Pioneers were racing to a 5-3 lead. The three-point performance would tie a career high for Buium.

Shai Buium picks up his 1st career NCHC Defenseman of the Week award and the 2nd weekly honor of his career.

Read More: https://t.co/n8tTiB0mBs#GoPios pic.twitter.com/5VpUdyDYxz

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) December 5, 2023

However, left-winger James would be having the last laugh. His first-period goal opened the scoring. In the third period, he would dish out the primary assist on the goal that knotted the count at 5-5. North Dakota eventually would claim a 7-5 win.

For his efforts, though, Buium would gain recognition as the NCHC Defenseman of the Week. He’s garnered 3-8-11 totals over his past 11 games.

North Dakota currently sits No. 1 in the NCAA rankings, while Denver slots in at No. 5.

Swedes Lean On Old Red Wings

Sweden’s senior national team will be playing in the upcoming Swiss Hockey Games Dec. 14-17 against Switzerland, Finland and the Czech Republic. For this tourney, head coach Sam Hallam is opting to lean heavily into the ghosts of Red Wings past.

Former Red Wings showing up on the Swedish roster include forwards Christoffer Ehn and Jacob De La Rose and defenseman Patrik Nemeth. As well, forward Pontus Andreasson, who spent last season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, is getting his first look with Sweden’s national team.

The post Red Wings Prospect Notebook: Danielson, Augustine to World Junior Camps appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.