It's confirmed for top prospect Tom Willander: Won't be at Canucks training camp
Vancouver Canucks prospect Tom Willander is showing plenty of growth in his game since coming over to North America. It's confirmed that he'll be heading back to Boston University, meaning he won't be at the team's training camp.
Recently, Willander was interviewed by NHL.com and talked about the growth in his game since deciding to play college hockey in the United States rather than staying in Sweden, where he likely would have played professionally in the SHL.
Willander was asked about his friendship with San Jose Sharks' top prospect and 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini, who were teammates at Boston University last season. Willander said that Celebrini is a very skilled player, and having to go up against him in the National Hockey League one day will ultimately make him a better player.
The Stockholm native went on to add that he's taking it year by year and wants to remain humble. He said taking small steps forward in his game is best for him.
"I'm always taking it year by year," Willander said. "First off, I think it's always important to stay humble, but I alsoing small steps at a time works best for me."
Canucks Development coach Mike Komisarek, a veteran of 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, grew close to Tom Willander throughout the 2023-24 season. Komisarek went to visit with Willander at Boston University every other week last year and says that the team is really impressed with him. He also mentioned that he's a highly competitive player who moves well and does stuff with the puck that could be considered world-class.
"We've been impressed with Tom," said Mike Komisarek, who joined Canucks player development in 2022 after 11 seasons as an NHL defenseman and visited with Willander every other week last season. "Extremely competitive kid moves so well. The stuff with the puck is world-class."
We'll have to wait and see what the 2024-25 season has in store for Tom Willander, but it will be a massive one for his development. Willander is expected to play big minutes with Boston University after the team lost Lane Hutson, who signed his entry-level deal with the Montreal Canadiens at the tail end of the 2023-24 campaign. He'll also likely play on the top line for Sweden at the World Juniors, which are being held in Ottawa later this year. The World Junior tournament will give Canucks management and scouts another excellent opportunity to see how his game is progressing.
Source: NHL.com
Willander showing growth spurt with Canucks, excited to face Celebrini in future
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 21 | 428 ANSWERS It's confirmed for top prospect Tom Willander: Won't be at Canucks training camp Should the Canucks sign Willander to his ELC after the 2024-25 season? | ||
| Yes | 377 | 88.1 % |
| No | 51 | 11.9 % |
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