Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin was very pleased that Willander was still on the board when the team took to the stage at Bridgestone Arena, home to the Nashville Predators.
Allvin spoke with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman about Tom Willander and had some very good things to say about the Swedish defenceman.
Later on Wednesday, Allvin met with the media and said that Willander could be a perfect fit on a pairing with Quinn Hughes.
Willander, a native of Stockholm, appeared in 39 games for Rogle BK's junior team, recording 25 points (four goals, 21 assists), 22 penalty minutes and was a plus-seven. He also appeared in two games for the big club in the Swedish Hockey League, but didn't record any points.
The 18-year-old will be playing in the NCAA this Fall with Boston University, so he won't be playing for the Canucks right away, but depending on how his season goes and how management and player development feel, he could make his NHL debut next Spring.
POLL | ||
2 JUILLET | 715 ANSWERS LATEST | Patrik Allvin comments the team's first-round selection Tom Willander Are you happy that the Canucks took Tom Willander 11th overall? | ||
Yes | 476 | 66.6 % |
No | 109 | 15.2 % |
Unsure how I feel about it yet | 130 | 18.2 % |
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