Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Player Preview: Tom Willander
Willander's 2024–25 Season
The 2024–25 season was Willander's second with Boston University of the NCAA. Prior to joining BU, Willander had solely played in Sweden, spending his draft year with Rögle BK. His move to the NCAA was a successful one. In 2024–25, he collected two goals and 22 assists in 39 games played and acted as one of his team's top defencemen throughout the season. He also had an impressive showing at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring two goals and three assists in Sweden's fourth-place finish. After ample discussion, the Canucks signed Willander to his entry-level contract back on May 14.
Willander's 2025–26 Predictions
Vancouver's defence situation is an interesting one, as it appears that five of the six current rosters spots will be locked down by captain Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, Tyler Myers, Derek Forbort, and Marcus Pettersson. The sixth spot is currently up for grabs, though Elias Pettersson (D) appears to be the favourite to take this role. While Willander could definitely contend for this position, it may be best to give him some time to grow as a member of the Abbotsford Canucks.
As a highly-skilled, NHL top-four projected defenceman, Willander is likely to find success regardless of whether he starts the season with Vancouver or Abbotsford. Because of the presence of players such as Pettersson, Victor Mancini, Guillaume Brisebois, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph in the depth chart, the most likely scenario is that Willander starts the season in Abbotsford. Of course, this will depend on how each player's training camp goes, though it's hard to argue against a depth chart that includes some more experienced players. With that being said, defence coach Kevin Dean has noted that he isn't going to shy away from letting players play the way that has gotten them success — which could help Willander's case for cracking Vancouver's lineup from the get-go.
Ultimately, Vancouver has a special prospect in Willander. He'll be a key piece of the organization in the very near future.
Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site:
The Hockey News' Vancouver Canucks Mailbag: Foote, Kravtsov & More
Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Player Preview: Arshdeep Bains
Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Season Series Preview: New York Rangers
Adam Kierszenblat's Stat Prediction: 2G, 5A, 7P
Izzy Cheung's Stat Prediction: 1G, 5A, 6P
Bold Prediction: Willander will play in exactly nine games for the Canucks in 2025–26
Player Preview Articles
Arshdeep Bains
Pierre-Olivier Joseph
Evander Kane
Kiefer Sherwood
Kevin Lankinen
Elias Pettersson (D)
Tyler Myers
Filip Hronek
Nils Höglander
Thatcher Demko
Marcus Pettersson
Linus Karlsson
Aatu Räty
Conor Garland
Jake DeBrusk
Brock Boeser
Elias Pettersson (F)
Quinn Hughes
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Former Canucks Around The World: Markus Granlund
Plenty of former Vancouver Canucks have carved out successful careers around the world after leaving the organization. Whether playing for some of the best teams in Europe or excelling in non-traditional hockey markets, these one-time Canucks continue to apply their trade outside of North America. Today, we look at forward Markus Granlund, who spent the 2024-25 season with Genève-Servette HC in the NL.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bye-bye Abu Dhabi? Dana White crushes Khamzat's big plans with ‘de Ridder vs. Hernandez'-led UFC Vancouver event
OH WELL?!?!?!? A gigantic Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight fight is going down in 'Raincouver.' UFC CEO, Dana White, announced today that No. 5-ranked Reinier de Ridder will take on No. 6-seeded Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Vancouver on Sat., Oct. 18, 2025, inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The announcement shakes up the 185-pound division as brand new champion, Khamzat Chimaev, had been eyeing a quick turnaround at UFC 321, which takes place just one week later in Abu Dhabi. For now, 'Borz' — who wiped the Octagon floor with now-former champion, Dricus du Plessis, at UFC 319 this past weekend (Aug. 16, 2025) in Chicago — will have to wait. Even though Chimaev specifically called out 'RDR' … and the surging Dutch finisher agreed. Nevertheless, de Ridder (21-2) has been red-hot since entering the Octagon, and UFC Vancouver will mark his fourth appearance of 2025. The Dutch standout is coming off a decision win over former Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker. Prior to that, he shocked the MMA world by becoming the first man to defeat Bo Nickal (watch highlights), then followed it up with a submission over Kevin Holland at UFC 311. It was impressive. Meanwhile, Hernandez (15-2) is fresh off a 'Performance of the Night' bonus-winning, four-round demolition (and submission) of Roman Dolidze. 'Fluffy' is riding an eight-fight win streak — the longest active run in the Middleweight division. Even more impressive? Hernandez has finished six of those eight victories. In addition to the pivotal headliner, White also announced that Kevin Holland will return for the fifth time this year to face Canada's own Mike Malott. Holland (2-2 in 2025) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez, while Malott is fresh off a stoppage win over Charles Radtke. Checkout what UFC Vancouver looks like so far: Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius Azamat Bekoev vs. Yousri Belgaroui HyunSung Park vs. Bruno Silva Danny Barlow vs. Djorden Santos Stephanie Luciano vs. Ravena Oliveira
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez to headline UFC Fight Night 262 in Vancouver
A key middleweight matchup is set to headline the UFC's trip to Vancouver. Reinier de Ridder will face Anthony Hernandez in what will be an opportunity to make a statement to earn a shot at the newly crowned champion, Khamzat Chimaev. UFC Fight Night 262 takes place at Rogers Arena on Oct. 18. The promotion officially announced the matchup Tuesday. De Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has quickly climbed the ladder in the middleweight division, winning his first three fights by stoppage, and picking up a split decision nod over former champ Robert Whittaker in his last outing. The main event result against Whittaker extended his winning streak to five. Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is coming off an impressive outing in a main event against Roman Dolidze earlier this month to extend his current winning streak to eight. The fourth-round Performance of the Night submission put "Fluffy" in the mix at the top of the division, which has suddenly become packed with title challengers. In addition to the De Ridder vs. Hernandez main event announcement, the UFC added a fun welterweight bout between Kevin Holland (28-14 MMA, 15-11 UFC) and Canada's Mike Malott (12-2-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who will get the opportunity to fight on home soil again. With the addition, the current UFC Fight Night 262 lineup includes: Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius HyunSung Park vs. Bruno Silva Danny Barlow vs. Djorden Santos Stephanie Luciano vs. Ravena Oliveira Azamat Bekoev vs. Yousri Belgaroui This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vancouver: Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez set to headline
