A Sudden Change of Plans Strikes Top Draft Pick Tom Willander Not Signing with the Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks organization is eagerly awaiting the arrival of top defensive prospect Tom Willander, who is expected to finish the season in the AHL and help the Abbotsford Canucks in their hunt for the Calder Cup.

This week was a big one for Tom Willander and his future with the start of the Frozen Four on Thursday night where Boston University was facing Penn State.

Willander and Boston University were making their third straight appearance at the Frozen Four and after coming up short in the semi-finals in each of the previous two years, they were looking to finally break through to the championship game.

Thanks to goals from Los Angeles Kings prospect Jack Hughes (son of Canadiens GM Kent Hughes), New York Islanders prospect Cole Eiserman and an empty netter from Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jack Harvey, Boston University won by a score of 3-1.

Tom Willander played quite well defensively in the victory for Boston University and also picked up an assist on Jack Harvey's empty netter for his 24th point of the 2024-25 season.

With the win, Boston University will head to the championship game on Saturday night at a Enterprise Center in St. Louis, where they'll face off against Western Michigan University, who upset the defending champions, Denver University, in the semi-finals.

As a result of their victory, this means that Vancouver Canucks fans will have to wait just a little bit longer to see Tom Willander put pen-to-paper on his entry-level contract with the team.

The most likely scenario would see Tom Willander sign his entry-level contract at some point on Sunday, the day after the championship game, and join up with the Canucks organization early next week.

While the Vancouver Canucks ideally would like the Swedish defenseman to head to the AHL, it'll be interesting to see if he makes his NHL debut first before being assigned to Abbotsford in time for the Calder Cup Playoffs.