Prospect Info: Tom Willander: 11th Overall 2023 Draft (Rogle BK J20) - Part 02

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Only really seen him at WJC but having watched a few Canes games, maybe he stylistically resembles a bit smaller, much faster version of Slavin?
one could hope
 
Only really seen him at WJC but having watched a few Canes games, maybe he stylistically resembles a bit smaller, much faster version of Slavin?
one could hope

Slavin kind of came out of nowhere

he didnt have much hype
spent his d+1 in the USHL which can be rough for development, then was playing for an absolutely dog shit team that was the punching bag of NCHC for a couple seasons.

gets a lower tier entry level with zero bonuses, and just seemed to "get it".

Both him and Brett Pesce were rookies and called up the same year, and just got theNHL speed
 
Slavin kind of came out of nowhere

he didnt have much hype
spent his d+1 in the USHL which can be rough for development, then was playing for an absolutely dog shit team that was the punching bag of NCHC for a couple seasons.

gets a lower tier entry level with zero bonuses, and just seemed to "get it".

Both him and Brett Pesce were rookies and called up the same year, and just got theNHL speed
yeah they've had very different paths to the NHL but i just meant that like on the ice right now, watching them play, there could be a stylistic comparison made
 
I've caught most of Wilander's games at the WJHC during the last two tournaments, and YouTube highlights of BU games. I'd say a more stylistic comparison might be Morgan Reilly, with more defensive awareness.

He's been mostly playing it 'safe' on the back-end at BU. But you can clearly see the elite skating and effortless turns. And when he eventually breaks in with the Canucks, I'd say the only d-men who'd be better at walking the line in the offensive zone, would be Quinn Hughes.

As a right-shot defender with that kind of skill-set, he almost an 'automatic add' to the Canucks lineup whenever he signs.
 
They are going to cross 400 penalty minutes this weekend

In 26 games
Other teams won’t reach 400 for weeks if at all

3 minors in the 1st period alone
 
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They are going to cross 400 penalty minutes this weekend

In 26 games
Other teams won’t reach 400 for weeks if at all
In the past hour or so you've posted in the Abbotsford thread, the Prospects thread, and now here, the Willander thread. Your brief, cryptic posts suggest that you're watching a BU game. Why not give us Canuck fans on this Canucks forum a bit of interesting context?

Who is BU playing?
What's the score?
How does Wilander look? Any points?
Is Aiden Celebrini in the line-up, or is he still out with an injury?

Did you know that there's a forum for NCAA discussion?
Chat with Posters Interested in the NCAA here!
 
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(not really a surprise, but still worth mentioning)


Vancouver Canucks fans could be getting their first look at a top prospect before the 2024-25 season is over. According to Rick Dhaliwal of "Donnie and Dhali," Tom Willander will be turning pro this year and is expected to sign his entry-level contract once his NCAA season is complete.

"The next defenceman signing for the Canucks will be Tom Willander, out of Boston University in a few weeks," said Dhaliwal during his radio hit on Sportsnet 650 Friday morning. "I'll be shocked if he doesn't sign. With Elias Pettersson, the defenceman showing so much promise, the Canucks could have, I mean, this is could have three drafted defensemen on their roster next year."

Boston University's regular season is scheduled to end on March 8, 2025, while the final date of the Frozen Four is set for April 12, 2025. If Boston University makes it to the final, Willander would only be available for two regular season games, with his potential debut being April 14, 2025, against the San Jose Sharks. This season, Boston University is 15-9-1 and is the eighth-ranked team in D1 NCAA hockey.
 
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He's basically the RH version of MP with better skating. I think it makes sense to keep him in the AHL next season first to give him more opportunity to develop in order to maximize his ceiling.
Do others agree with this? From the limited amount I've seen of him, he looks like a highly skilled puck handler that will be able evade the forecheck, combined with his skating, much better than Marcus. Willander looks much closer to what Hughes does than Pettersson.
 
I'm not so sure. You stick him on the bottom pairing with Soucy or Forbort and you'll probably see an immediate upgrade on Juulsen. With Marcus Pettersson assuming more the PK minutes, Juulsen's utility takes a further hit.
I'm super stoked to see Willander and EP25 playing together in March. Pettersson the punisher with Willander the more skill guy. Perfect match. They are both 20 years as well. A potential top pairing to go along with Hughes.
 
They just take so many penalties and are defending on the PK

They suck on the PK

They can’t get in a flow 5v5 which is why they aren’t even a top 40 team in the nation at even strength possession wise.

their defense is a lot like the canucks of earlier this season. cole hutson fills the quinn hughes role and then no one else on the defense can move the puck. they can't generate offense without hutson on the ice
 
their defense is a lot like the canucks of earlier this season. cole hutson fills the quinn hughes role and then no one else on the defense can move the puck. they can't generate offense without hutson on the ice
And then Willander gets sent out there in overtime, playing on one leg after taking that bomb off his ankle.
 
their defense is a lot like the canucks of earlier this season. cole hutson fills the quinn hughes role and then no one else on the defense can move the puck. they can't generate offense without hutson on the ice


the defense is a franking disaster right now

Stats department students like most schools do the analytics as extra credit, its not pretty.

engum was on the first pairing with hutson............ ENGUM!!!!!!!!

Jack Page is in the line up on the bottom pairing, which tells you how bad it is right now

celebrity and McCarthy are both out with injuries
 
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the defense is a franking disaster right now

Stats department students like most schools do the analytics as extra credit, its not pretty.

engum was on the first pairing with hutson............ ENGUM!!!!!!!!

Jack Page is in the line up on the bottom pairing, which tells you how bad it is right now

celebrity and McCarthy are both out with injuries
Yet they allowed only one goal in regulation. They must be getting great goaltending!
 

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