Vancouver Canucks Top Prospect Draws Major Comparison By NHL Insider
While it might not be the deepest in the National Hockey League, the Vancouver Canucks have immense talent in their prospect pool including defenseman Tom Willander.
Willander is currently in his sophomore season in the NCAA with Boston University where he's been given a bigger role with Lane Hutson, Cade Webber and Case McCarthy all making the jump to professional hockey.
The Stockholm native has nine points in 16 games this season for BU, and while he might have a tough time trying to beat his 25 points he had in his freshman year, he's looking a lot more stronger on the defensive side of the puck.
The Canucks' top defensive prospect was named to Sweden's roster for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa where, much like Boston University, he was placed into a bigger role.
Willander finished the tournament with five points in seven games, including a pair of powerplay goals against fellow Canucks prospect Basile Sansonnens and Switzerland during the preliminary round.
After a silver medal finish on home ice last year, Sweden was looking for their first gold since 2012 but unfortunately for Willander, Tre Kronor would go on to lose in a shootout in the bronze medal game to Czechia.
Tom Willander draw big comparison from TSN's Craig Button
With the World Juniors now over, Willander heads back to Boston University for the final few months of the 2024-25 season, with the school looking for their 25th all-time appearance at the Frozen Four.
There's still a little bit of time for Tom Willander and the Vancouver Canucks to decide what will happen once Boston University's season ends, with the potential of him turning pro and joining the NHL club in April.
TSN's Craig Button was a guest on Donnie & Dhali on Monday where he had some high praise for Tom Willander and his development to this point since being drafted by Vancouver in 2023.
Button also told Rick Dhaliwal that he would compare Tom Willander to Boston Bruins star blueliner Charlie McAvoy, saying that the Canucks prospect is going to be a solid two-way player for many years to come for Vancouver.
Vancouver Canucks fans are excited for Tom Willander to join the club and they might not have to wait long to see him in the National Hockey League, whether it in mid-April or early in the 2025-26 season.
| POLL | ||
19 HOURS AGO | 78 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Top Prospect Draws Major Comparison By NHL Insider Do you think Tom Willander should turn pro following Boston University's season? | ||
