Latest news with #Willander
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.
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
Vancouver Sun
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks off-season: Five things about the Tom Willander stalemate
Article content What's next for Vancouver Canucks and defence prospect Tom Willander remains an open question. Article content Article content Here are five things to ponder about the hockey club and Willander, 20, their first-round pick (No. 11 overall) from the 2023 NHL Draft who remains unsigned and in a contract stalemate. Article content Willander, who just wrapped up his sophomore season with the Boston University Terriers, could be a part of the Abbotsford Canucks ' AHL playoff run right now. The Vancouver farm club opens up the second round of the post-season Thursday on the road against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Article content Article content Willander instead is one of eight rearguards with the Swedish team currently preparing for the world championships, which kick off May 9 in Willander's hometown of Stockholm. Article content Article content That Swedish rearguard crew also includes Canucks defenceman Marcus Pettersson. That roster could change as teams are knocked out of the NHL playoffs. Article content The next pressure point for Willander and the Canucks would then seem to be Canucks developmental camp, which would run sometime in the days following the June 27-28 NHL Draft. Article content Would Willander attend if he doesn't have a contract? Todd Diamond, who's Willander's adviser, was asked by text when they'd decide on that and Diamond replied: 'Plenty of time for that. He's focused right now on the next three games of the Euro tour before the world championships.' Article content Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes signed on with the Canucks immediately after their second NCAA seasons. Boeser got nine games and Hughes got five games with Vancouver at the tail end of those years. Article content Willander's Terriers had a better campaign than either of Boeser's or Hughes' second-year collegiate teams, getting all the way to the NCAA Frozen Four national championship game on April 12, where they fell 6-2 to Western Michigan. Article content There were still two Canucks games after that remaining, along with all the Abbotsford action. Article content Article content Article content Article content The Canucks have two more seasons to sign Willander, so there's substantial runway available. According to PuckPedia, he's one of five first rounders from that 2023 draft who have yet to come to terms on a contract. The earliest pick without a deal is the No. 6 selection, Russian defenceman Dmitrity Simashev, 20, a Utah Hockey Club prospect who's spent this season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL. Article content There are four first rounders from that draft with 130 or more NHL regular season games played, too. That includes No. 13 selection Zach Benson, 19, the diminutive winger from Chilliwack who has been a regular the past two seasons with the Buffalo Sabres.
Edmonton Journal
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Canucks off-season: Five things about the Tom Willander stalemate
Article content Willander instead is one of eight rearguards with the Swedish team currently preparing for the world championships, which kick off May 9 in Willander's hometown of Stockholm. That Swedish rearguard crew also includes Canucks defenceman Marcus Pettersson. That roster could change as teams are knocked out of the NHL playoffs. The next pressure point for Willander and the Canucks would then seem to be Canucks developmental camp, which would run sometime in the days following the June 27-28 NHL Draft. Would Willander attend if he doesn't have a contract? Todd Diamond, who's Willander's adviser, was asked by text when they'd decide on that and Diamond replied: 'Plenty of time for that. He's focused right now on the next three games of the Euro tour before the world championships.' Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes signed on with the Canucks immediately after their second NCAA seasons. Boeser got nine games and Hughes got five games with Vancouver at the tail end of those years. Willander's Terriers had a better campaign than either of Boeser's or Hughes' second-year collegiate teams, getting all the way to the NCAA Frozen Four national championship game on April 12, where they fell 6-2 to Western Michigan.
