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

[Nick Lang]

Just finishing watching BU vs PENN ST. Willander impressed me he plays a pro style game, one of the most mature defensive games I have seen from a prospect. Has a lot more confidence than he did last year, there was play where he going back to get an icing call and he easily beat the PENN ST player and starts chirping as they are skating back almost like he was insulted the player thought he had a chance in the race.

His skating looks to have gotten even better, best skater on the ice and he makes it look effortless. I liked how quickly he finds ways to evade the forecheck with smarts plays whether its a quick pass or skating out of trouble. Maybe he makes the safe play in defensive zone a little too much but he never got hemmed in because of it. The best part of his game is his transition defence, his skating combined with his great defensive stick and positioning makes this the hallmark of his game.

Doesn't play a heavy game but occasionally he will take the body or get mean in the corner and it makes me wonder why doesn't he do it more often. While he is good at evading the forecheck I would like him to be more involved in transition especially skating the puck up the ice. I write this every time I watch him he needs to be more active and engaged in the offensive zone. He still has so much untapped potential offensively. I would like him to play in the AHL with the green light and let him develop that side of his game. I do think some of it is he knows his role on this team and is wary of straying from it.

Imagine the skating between himself and Hughes on the same line. It would be sublime.

 

[logan5]

Wlllander's offensive numbers are similar to Charlie McAvoy's. McAvoy went on to become a 50 - 60 point D man.

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

Imagine the skating between himself and Hughes on the same line. It would be sublime.

Yeah it will be and it's weird because they are just different skaters too.

 

[ManVanFan]

Let's win something this year!!!!!

 

[pitseleh]

Wlllander's offensive numbers are similar to Charlie McAvoy's. McAvoy went on to become a 50 - 60 point D man.

McAvoy was a year ahead of Willander when he was putting up those numbers. He was a 0.51 PPG defender in the NHL at the same age Willander is putting up 0.63 PPG in college.

That said, I’m not worried about Willander’s production - plenty of other examples of players putting up similar numbers and being quality two way defenders in the NHL. It does seem unlikely he will be much of a PP QB, which is totally fine on this team (knock on wood).

 

[Attack Vector]

I think Willander ends up being a player Miro Heiskanen.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Come on Big Willy!

 

[Vector]

 

[Jay26]

I will be seated.

 

[JanBulisPiggyBack]

Gonna watch this game

1st college game since Jordan Schroeder !!

 

[bobbyb2009]

I think Willander ends up being a player Miro Heiskanen.

This kind of a result for Willander would be out of this world success for the Canucks

 

[Diablo2020]

I think Willander ends up being a player like? Miro Heiskanen.

Miro Heiskanen
Jonas Brodin
Dan Hamhuis
Gustav Forsling
Anton Stralman
Tom Willander

Even at #6 on that list he'd be a great development for us.

Anything higher is just gravy.

 

[Jay26]

Damn, first goal against Willander in the NCAA tournament.

WMU scores to go up 2-1.

 

[Nona Di Giuseppe]

Canucks Central

Dan Riccio and Sat Shah have you covered with the most comprehensive Canucks show on the air. The only real choice for the die-hard Canucks fan and the home for Post Game reaction and analysis after every Canucks game.

www.sportsnet.ca

So I listened to the willander interview, and i like to trust my instinct on things, they seem to be right more often then wrong.

Now it could really be as how he is saying, he just wants to focus on the frozen four and the tournament.

But his answer when asked about Vancouver, and how he answered it, especially the last part.
Man, I just got a really bad feeling honestly, Even tho the words came out fine, and it could just be his personality and how he is, but he seemed to have a genuine lack of excitement in his answers, especially the one about the Canucks.

Just keeping an eye on this honestly.

got absolutely none of that. just seems like a chill swede

 

[logan5]

BU was hemmed, but Willander gets in there with good sticks and body position to shake pucks loose. H

 

[logan5]

I'm sure an AHL team could beat either of these college teams, but the level of play is really high. I can't see much of a difference between this game and an AHL game, though I rarely watch either...

 

[Coffee]

H

 

[AlainVigneaultsGum]

H

 

[ManVanFan]

I'm sure an AHL team could beat either of these college teams, but the level of play is really high. I can't see much of a difference between this game and an AHL game, though I rarely watch either...

College hockey in the past decade has taken a massive step forward. Not the greatest of talent level but they all play such a mature/structured game, that even the lesser players still look good.

 

[ManVanFan]

That's a goal.

 

[Jay26]

WMU millimeters away from going up 4-2 and now BU gets another PP.

 

[ManVanFan]

Looks like Pandalfo got some PP advice from Tocchet pregame.

 

[NoShowWilly]

Quiet game. Ugly clearing attempt went right back into the bu net.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

This one is over unfortunately

 

[Breakers]

NCHC is too good

They don’t build teams to compete in the NCAA
They build them to compete in the NCHC

They have 7 of the last 9 NCAA championships