Two Vancouver Canucks Prospects Land on TSN's Top-50 NHL-Affiliated Prospects List

It's been a busy season for those two, with Jonathan Lekkerimaki making his NHL debut back in November, while Tom Willander played a key role for Team Sweden at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

On Friday morning, TSN Director of Scouting and former National Hockey League General Manager Craig Button released his top-50 NHL-affiliated prospects list, with Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Tom Willander among those named to it.

Montreal Canadiens top prospect and future NHL star Ivan Demidov, who's in the middle of a record-setting season in the KHL, took the number one spot on Button's list, with Washington's Ryan Leonard and Carolina's Alexander Nikishin rounding out the top-three.

As for Jonathan Lekkerimaki, he's the higher ranked of the two Vancouver Canucks prospects on the list, coming in at number 11.

Lekkerimaki has been solid in the American Hockey League for Abbotsford this season, registering 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 24 games, while adding three points in 11 games with Vancouver, including his first NHL goal on November 14th against the New York Islanders.

Tom Willander of Boston University has been ranked 14th on Craig Button's list on Friday.

Willander hasn't had quite the offensive production he had during his freshman year at Boston University, but he's still been a big piece of the Terriers' success this season as they sit third in the Hockey East Standings.

The Stockholm native had a strong showing at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, recording five points in seven games, helping Sweden to a fourth place finish.

It's only a matter of time before both Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Tom Willander are in the National Hockey League on a full-time basis and they'll be key pieces for the Vancouver Canucks for many years to come.

Source: Craig Button/TSN
Demidov rated No. 1 on Button's Top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects list