Axel Sandin Pellikka has quickly become one of the top defencemen in this year's draft.

After absolutely torching the J20 Nationell and boasting the best points-per-game mark among all blueliners with over ten games played, Sandin Pellikka has incrementally increased his role in Skellefteå's SHL squad. In the five previous games between the top Swedish league and the Champions league, he's averaged almost 17 minutes of ice time per night. 

With the expanded role, Sandin Pellikka's confidence has only grown, and he's started to translate the strengths that made him so effective at the junior level to the pro ranks. Having added five points in 14 games, he could end up having one of the better seasons among draft-eligible defencemen in the league's history.

Interestingly, Sandin Pellikka's game in league play has looked different than it did at August's Hlinka Gretzky Cup.