Hungry for his first opportunity to play in North America, Brandsegg-Nygård said he just wants to do his best to live up to hype of being a first-round pick.
“It’s cool to hear people talk about that,” Brandsegg-Nygård said. “That’s just a big motivation for me to keep working hard and accomplish those goals that people are talking about.”
There’s also plenty of hype surrounding Sandin-Pellikka, whom Brandsegg-Nygård described as a “really good” player.
“[Sandin-Pellikka] is calm with the puck and so smooth,” Brandsegg-Nygård said. “He’s really nice to play with.”
Earning Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year honors, Sandin-Pellikka finished his second full campaign with Skellefteå AIK with 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 46 regular-season games. The 20-year-old blueliner also tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 11 postseason contests.
“I’m just coming here to try to help the team as much as I can and play my hockey,” said Sandin-Pellikka, who earned his first AHL point by recording the primary assist on the Griffins’ lone goal on April 18. “I’m looking forward to transitioning to the smaller ice here and playing with Grand Rapids.”
Since being selected at No. 17 overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Sandin-Pellikka said he’s absorbed a great deal of information from the Red Wings’ European Scouting and Player Development staff, especially Niklas Kronwall, who is currently Detroit’s Director of European Player Development.
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