D Tom Willander - Boston University, NCAA (2023, 11th, VAN)

UrbanImpact

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Apr 12, 2021
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Button like most Prospect Experts have their hits and misses. However he was bang on about Virtanen and Juolevi being busts. Only Canuck prospect I think that he was really high on that busted was Hunter Shinkaruk.
 

LemonSauceD

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So you think it’s likely that an 11th overall pick becomes a top 5 defenseman in the NHL?

Fully with @Juxtaposer on this. I liked the pick and don’t say that about all picks. I think Willander will be good, but it’s very unlikely he’ll be as good as McAvoy.
Being compared to a player doesn’t mean they’ll be as good as them. Play style, draft selection/projection, production, etc are some things that are used to compare prospects to current NHL’ers. McAvoy certainly wasn’t projected to be a top 10 defenseman in the NHL but rather a sure bet #4 guy who could very well become a top 3 defenseman. Obviously we know how that turned out.
 

UrbanImpact

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Continues to impress. It only took 13 games but it seems he has adjusted to the North American Ice. He has now been promoted to TOP-DPairing for BU and will be partnered with Lane Hutson. Great opportunity to learn for Willander here as he is penciled in to be Q Hughes partner whenever he makes the show.

 

LemonSauceD

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Watching a few of their games, he’s been one of their best overall defenseman.

Hutson’s play should elevate considerably playing with Willander. Hopefully he leeches off some points.
 
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wetcoast

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Nov 20, 2018
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Continues to impress. It only took 13 games but it seems he has adjusted to the North American Ice. He has now been promoted to TOP-DPairing for BU and will be partnered with Lane Hutson. Great opportunity to learn for Willander here as he is penciled in to be Q Hughes partner whenever he makes the show.


They really need to play Case and Gavin McCarthy together right?

I really like the Willander pick BTW, very impressive physical skills and skating and still learning to play defense after switching from forward.

I don't mind the McAvoy comparison (except not as physical) at the same time in their careers but who knows how it turns out.
 

UrbanImpact

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BU Coach and Stanley Cup Champ Jay Pandolfo on his scouting on Tom. (Starts at 2min 30 sec)

- Very Competitive and Athletic
-Very Good defensively
-Elite skater
-Ends opposing offensive plays quickly
- Went through adjustment period for North American Rink size
- North American ice suits Tom's game more with how fast he closes defensively and how he transitions the puck
-Super coachable and always trying to get better
-He has not been outmatched or outmuscled by anyone up to this point even the 23-24 yr olds that they face in College Hockey

Asked to compare Tom with any current or former NHLer. Pandolfo replies:

- He is the type that will log a ton of minutes and play against the other teams best forwards.
-His elite skating will allow him to be on the ice for 25 min a night and he wont get tired
-He could be a top pair guy that compliments a top offensive player or he can be on the 2nd pairing and be used as a shut down guy and face the other teams top player.

 

TLEH

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Feb 28, 2015
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So far I’ve thought that it was smart to put Hutson and WILLANDER together. WILLANDER did get ran a bit tonight .. but thought he responded well. Played a steady game. Not sure he is dynamic offensively but he’s very good defensively and a great skater. Good stick. I liked him a lot tonight. He’s tough too.

He’s quick in closing gaps and has good burst. Also one thing I noticed was that he was always talking to his teammates and always talking to his coaches after like.. every shift.

It was a slog of a game. Games like tonight were NHL style games.
 
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