Canucks top prospect Tom Willander earns huge honour from NCAA Hockey East

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
October 28, 2024 (5:24 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Vancouver Canucks top prospect Tom Willander was handed big honour by Hockey East on Monday afternoon.

The Vancouver Canucks' prospect pool might not be as deep as other teams around the National Hockey League, but they do have a few players that could end up being stars one day and among those is Tom Willander, the club's first-round pick back in 2023.

Willander is currently in his second year in the NCAA with Boston University and has a bigger role this season after some key departures at the tail end of the 2023-24 campaign and over the summer. So far, Willander is showing that he is able to handle the responsibility that comes with the bigger role.

Hockey East names Tom Willander as their Defenceman of the Week

On Monday afternoon, Hockey East, the conference which Boston University plays in, handed out their weekly awards and for Canucks prospect Tom Willander, he was named Defenceman of the Week after registering a goal and an assist in two games over the University of North Dakota.

Saturday's game is where Tom Willander stood out the most, coming up clutch once again for his school late in the third period. Willander fired home a wrister from the top of the zone while Boston University was on the powerplay and his goal would stand as the game-winner to improve their record to 4-1-0 on the season.

After registering 25 points in 38 games during his freshman year in 2023-24, the 19-year-old is well on his way to surpassing that point total as he's got five (two goals, three assists) in six games so far this season.

There's still a long way to go in the 2024-25 season for Tom Willander and Boston University, but the Stockholm, Sweden native is looking great early on. It wouldn't shock anyone if he's in contention for Hockey East's Player of the Year award once the season comes to a close in the spring.