Canucks sign top prospect Tom Willander to entry-level contract
The Vancouver Canucks have signed top defensive prospect Tom Willander to a three-year, entry level contract.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli initially reported in April that Willander was going to sign with the Canucks.
The Stockholm, Sweden product was drafted No. 11 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by Vancouver.
“We are excited to have Tom under contract and for him to start his professional hockey career,” Canucks GM Patrik Allvin said in a team statement. “Our group has watched him closely the past couple of seasons and have been impressed with his progression and growth in the NCAA. Now is the perfect time for him to take the next step and join our organization. The hard work starts this summer, and we look forward to seeing where Tom is at this September at training camp.”
Willander recently wrapped up his 2024-25 season with the Boston University Terriers, where the team ultimately lost in the final game to the Western Michigan Broncos.
Willander notched two goals and 22 assists for 24 points in 39 games in his second season with BU. During his freshman campaign, Willander tallied four goals and 25 points in 38 games. Willander was named to the NCAA Hockey East Second All-Star Team. Through 77 games with the Terriers, Willander notched six goals and 49 points.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis considered Willander to be one of the most notable NCAA players this past season.
“He’s a two-way, strong-skating blueliner who makes a lot of skilled plays with the puck,” Ellis said. I feel like his overall control of the disk is much more refined this year than a season ago, and he has really figured out how to handle his gap control on smaller North American ice. Willander was one of the best defenders at the World Juniors, and he’d love to keep the ship moving in the right direction with a national title.”
Internationally, Willander previously represented Sweden at the IIHF Under-18 Men’s Worlds, where he tallied eight points in seven games and captured a silver medal. Willander has suited up for Sweden at back-to-back World Juniors, taking home a silver in 2024.