DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – After a strong first year under new head coach Derek Lalonde, the Detroit Red Wings will add to that excitement with two first-round draft picks taken on Wednesday night. The Red Wings took center Nate Danielson at no. 9 and defensemen Axel Sandin Pellikka at no. 17.

Steve Yzerman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Red Wings, says, “We have a lot of priorities and we think we were able to address two of them here tonight.”

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Danielson comes to Detroit from the Brand Wheat Kings of the Western League where he led his team with 33 goals, 45 assists, 78 points, 13 power-play goals and 38 power-play points. He made the WHL East Division Second All-Star team with an appearance in the 2023 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. The Edmonton native made his WHL debut in 2020-21.

Yzerman said about Danielson, “We like all parts of his game. He’s got pretty good size. He’s a good skater, he’s got good skills and is a good two-way centerman. A lot to like about him, really. Just a solid, all-around prospect.”

Another aspect that was addressed on Wednesday night was defense as Yzerman added Pellikka at no. 17 pick. Pellikka comes to Detroit from Sweden and the Skelleftea AIK in the Swedish Hockey League. He is ranked second among international defensemen by NHL Central Scouting. In Sweden, he played in 22 games recording five points with two goals and three assists with a plus-2 rating. The five points were the most by any defenseman 18 years of age or younger for the country’s highest professional league.

“I think he’s a good offensive d-man. He skates well, has good puck skills and a very good hockey sense. A little bit different than what we have in our system, so I think it was a good fit,” said Yzerman.