Vancouver Canucks top prospect Tom Willander has had a pretty strong season both with Boston University and internationally at the World Juniors with Sweden, but his sights are set on becoming an NHLer very soon.
Until then, Willander continues to work on his craft in the NCAA as he looks to help Boston University secure a third straight appearance in the Final Four in April down in St. Louis.
Willander's advisor Todd Diamond was a guest on Donnie & Dhali on Friday and was asked about when we could see the 19-year-old sign his entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
Todd Diamond told Rick Dhaliwal and Don Taylor on Friday that the plan has always been to have Tom Willander play two seasons at Boston University and that plan hasn't changed.
Willander is currently in his second year with Boston University, which would mean, based on Todd Diamond's comments, that he would be leaving the school at the end of the season and join the Vancouver Canucks at some point this spring.
As for when Tom Willander could make his National Hockey League debut, it really depends on how Boston University does and how far they make it.
Boston University, who's seed will be determined in over the next couple of months, is expected to make it to the Regional Semi-Finals, which will be held on the weekend of March 28th to 30th.
If Boston University happens to lose in the Regional Semi-Finals, the earliest Vancouver Canucks fans could see him make his NHL debut is April 2nd at Rogers Arena against the Seattle Kraken.
Should Boston University win their Regional Semi-Final tournament, they'll advance to the Frozen Four, which will be held at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, home of the Blues.
The Frozen Four is set to on the weekend of April 10th to 12th and regardless of how Boston University does, it would put Tom Willander on track to make his National Hockey League debut on April 14th against the San Jose Sharks or in the team's regular season finale against the Vegas Golden Knights on April 16th.
Only time will tell when Tom Willander will make his debut in the National Hockey League, but when he does, he'll be a very important piece on the blue line for the Vancouver Canucks for years and years to come.
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