Where's Willander? Top Canucks prospect not heading to Vancouver as expected
Tom Willander’s season at Boston University came to an end on Saturday, but the Vancouver Canucks’ top prospect is still not on his way to town.
The 20-year-old Swedish defenceman, who the Canucks picked 11th overall at the 2023 NHL Draft, was expected by many to sign as soon as his second NCAA season came to an end.
That’s what the Canucks did with Brock Boeser in 2017 and Quinn Hughes in 2019, as they made their NHL debuts following the conclusion of their college seasons. Boeser played nine games for Vancouver at the tail end of the 2016-17 season, while Hughes got into five games in 2018-19.
Willander’s team made it all the way to the National Championship Game, only to lose to Western Michigan in the final. That meant Canucks management had to wait a little longer to sign Willander, but he could still play in Vancouver’s final two regular-season games.
Tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena could have been Willander’s NHL debut, but it won’t, because unlike many other top NCAA players who were expected to turn pro, Willander’s still unsigned.
“Tom Willander is back at Boston University and resuming classes this morning,” Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reported this morning.
Robinson wondered if a “battle over bonuses” was delaying Willander’s signing, but added that he could play for the Abbotsford Canucks this spring on an amateur tryout contract. That would allow the 6-foot-1 blueliner to begin an entry-level deal next season.
Instead of flying west to begin his pro career, Tom Willander is back at Boston University and resuming classes this morning.
Everything can change with one phone call, but it's easy to wonder if a battle over bonuses is delaying his signing with Vancouver.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) April 14, 2025
An all-situations right-shot defender, Willander scored 24 points (2-22-24) in 39 NCAA games last season. He added five points in seven games for Team Sweden at the World Juniors last winter.
The playoff-bound Abbotsford Canucks conclude their regular-season schedule this week, with road games on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. They’ve been on a tear down the stretch, recently winning 13 games in a row and posting a 14-2-1 record since March 1.
Vancouver’s season finale is Wednesday, at home to the Vegas Golden Knights.
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