Latest news with #TomWillander
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Canucks Prospect Tom Willander Will Not Join The Abbotsford Canucks During The 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs
Tom Willander's 2024-25 season looks to be officially complete. According to a report from Rick Dhaliwal of "Donnie and Dhali", Willander will not be joining the Abbotsford Canucks for the remainder of their 2025 Calder Cup Playoff run. The 2023 first-round pick signed his entry-level contract on Wednesday and had the opportunity to join Abbotsford, but elected to focus on starting his off-season training.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Canucks secure top prospect Tom Willander with three-year contract
Tom Willander #5 of the Boston University Terriers competes for a puck (Credit: Getty Image) The Vancouver Canucks have finalized a deal with one of their most anticipated prospects, Swedish defenseman Tom Willander . This drafted 11th overall in 2023, has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team, and the deal will begin in the 2025–26 season, marking a key moment in the Canucks' rebuild. The path to this contract was not without challenges, Willander, coming off a strong college run at Boston University, had to decide between continuing his NCAA career or making the leap to pro hockey. The Canucks, meanwhile, had to wait through a prolonged negotiation process as both sides navigated differing priorities. His performances at Boston were enough to fuel high expectations. Over 77 games, he put up 6 goals and 43 assists. His skating and decision-making have already drawn praise, and he represented Sweden in two World Junior Championships. College career shaped Willander's transition timeline Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo VANCOUVER CANUCKS SIGN TOM WILLANDER TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT Willander's college development was under close watch. The Canucks knew his time at Boston University was improving his game, but also feared a delay in bringing him into the professional system. Adding to the tension was his involvement with Sweden's national team this year. He attended the IIHF World Championship camp but didn't make the final roster. Still, his choice to participate showed his intent to play at the highest level, even before an NHL contract was in place. For the Canucks, the question wasn't talent; it was timing. The organization needed to know if Willander was ready to join a group undergoing serious change, including a new head coach and shifting roster strategy. Organizational changes frame Willander's arrival Tom Willander #5 of the Boston University Terriers competes for a puck (Credit: Getty Image) Willander will now begin his professional journey under new Canucks head coach Adam Foote, himself a former NHL defenseman. The hiring signals a more structured defensive philosophy, making this a fitting time to introduce a promising blue-liner. The timing of the signing matters. With free agency approaching and internal roster moves ahead, locking in a top defensive prospect provides clarity. Willander isn't expected to be a depth option; he's viewed as a long-term piece in Vancouver's defensive core. He'll enter training camp with high expectations, but also with a development path tailored to his strengths. Focus now shifts to development and fit This contract marks the start, not the finish. The Canucks will now shape his introduction to NHL play, managing minutes and building chemistry with the existing lineup. Expect him to be tested early. His skating and passing will face NHL pressure, and how he adapts will influence how fast he earns a regular role. For Vancouver, signing Willander isn't just about the short term. It's a statement about their long-term vision. He represents a foundational piece in the team's defensive rebuild. Read more: Marc-Andre Fleury's wife celebrates family's new chapter after NHL farewell Bringing Tom Willander under contract brings clarity to a developing Vancouver roster. His signing aligns with the organization's larger shift toward youth and structure. While there will be pressure, the move sets both player and team on a shared course. As Vancouver turns a corner under new leadership, Willander is now officially part of the plan. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Stars And Abbotsford Canucks Advance To Division Finals
"He's Going To Have A Decision To Make At Some Point": Jim Rutherford Provides Details On Negotiations Between The Canucks And Tom Willander During his media avaliability on Tuesday, Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford was asked about top prospect Tom Willander. The 2023 first-rounder has yet to sign his entry-level contract, with most reports saying the holdup has to do with "Schedule A" bonuses. Willander, who just finished his second season in the NCAA, was projected to join the Abbotsford Canucks for their 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs run, but instead is over in Sweden particpating in the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Canucks, top prospect Tom Willander agree to 3-year, entry-level contract
After a surprisingly drawn-out negotiation, the Vancouver Canucks and Tom Willander have agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract that will begin in 2025-26, the club announced on Wednesday. Willander, 20, was drafted No. 11 by the Canucks in 2023. The right-shot Swedish defenseman had a pair of successful post-draft seasons with Boston University, which included scoring 24 points in 39 games as a sophomore in 2024-25. Advertisement Vancouver's prized defensive prospect was initially free to sign an ELC when the Terriers lost the NCAA Frozen Four championship on April 12. Top prospects who are ready to turn pro often sign quickly after their NCAA season is over, allowing them to either burn the first year of their ELC at the end of the NHL season or sign an ELC that begins the following year and sign an amateur tryout in the meantime that allows them to play AHL games. Willander's NCAA season ended so late that immediately signing an ELC and playing in Vancouver's final one or two regular-season games would have been a stretch. However, the idea of him signing an ELC that would begin in 2025-26 and logging significant minutes during Abbotsford's playoff run sounded appealing. Instead, this turned into an unusually complicated stalemate. Finally, the two sides have reached an agreement, and Willander will turn pro next season. The main point of contention in Willander's ELC negotiations was Schedule A performance bonuses. The Canucks had an internal structure for ELC bonuses that was below market value, and management seemed to be stubbornly sticking to that. Vancouver caved to some extent. According to PuckPedia, Willander has $500,000 worth of possible Schedule A bonuses in Year 1, $900,000 in Year 2 and $1 million in Year 3. That's a significant step up compared to Jonathan Lekkerimäki, whose possible Schedule A bonuses were worth $475,000 across each of the three years on his ELC. Willander will be a legitimate contender to win an NHL roster spot out of training camp next season. He plays a remarkably polished, efficient two-way game that leans more toward the defensive side. Willander was effective but a little raw and occasionally mistake-prone during his freshman NCAA season, but his second year with the Terriers was a key step forward, even if the offensive point totals don't reflect growth. The big-bodied, smooth-skating defender excelled as a go-to shutdown option, logging huge minutes in all situations. He had nothing to gain from returning to BU for a third season.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canucks: Prospect Tom Willander signs three-year, entry level contract
And like that, everything is again hunky-dory between the Vancouver Canucks and their top unsigned prospect. The NHL team announced Wednesday they'd signed Tom Willander to a three-year entry-level deal. He'll be paid a $95,000 signing bonus each year of the deal, while his actual salary will depend on if he's in the NHL or not. His NHL salary will be be $855,000 per season, or $85,000 when he's in the NHL. Most had expected the Canucks would sign Willander after his NCAA season ended in April, but the structure of his schedule A bonuses became a sticking point. Obviously that issue has now been resolved. He's eligible to earn up to $500,000 in performance bonuses his first season, up to $900,000 his second season and $1 million in the third season of the deal. Willander was drafted by the Canucks 15th overall in 2023 and played the last two seasons for Boston University. He's not an offence-first defenceman, but in 77 games for BU the last two seasons, he posted 49 points. A well-sized blueliner, he also played well for Sweden at the World Juniors, especially this past winter. It's not a lock but the Canucks will be hopeful he can quickly contribute on their blueline, which management revamped during the 2024-25 season in a more mobile group. NHL Draft Lottery: Five players the Canucks could target if they retain the 15th pick Canucks: 'Teacher' Adam Foote is the new head coach
