Tom Willander discussed a multitude of different topics during the Vancouver Canucks 2024 Development Camp.
Tom Willander discussed a multitude of different topics during the Vancouver Canucks 2024 Development Camp.
At this year's Vancouver Canucks Development Camp, one of the standouts was defenceman Tom Willander. The Canucks first-round pick from 2023 had a strong showing throughout the week, which culminated in a standout performance during the scrimmage. During the week, Willander also spoke to the media multiple times, discussing a variety of topics, including his plan for next season.
Willander is an exciting prospect who spent last season at Boston University. Averaging just over 20 minutes a game, Willander recorded 25 points in 38 games and was named to Hockey East's Second All-Star Team. Now that he has a year of NCAA under his belt, Willander says he is using this offseason to become a stronger player and focus on aspects of his game that are challenging to work on during the season.
"Really looking at everything," said Willander. "It's a lot easier to develop in-game parts of your game during the season. In the offseason, it's a bit more focused towards building, like in the gym, and stuff that requires volume that you can't really practice as much during the season."
Transitioning from European hockey to the NCAA can be a challenge. It often takes defensemen a little bit of time to adjust to the smaller ice surface in North America and get used to the overall speed and physicality at the NCAA level. For Willander he was ready for the challenge and feels like his style of play lends itself to the way the game is played in North America.
"I'd say the way that the game is played here in comparison to Sweden. I think there's a lot more pace in the game here. A lot more focused on getting the puck transitioned forward. But I mean, personally, I like that I think it's more fun that way."
Willander will return to BU next season and is expected to take on a more prominent role for the Terriers. While signing a deal with Vancouver last season was an option, another year at the NCAA level should help Willander continue to develop and play meaningful minutes throughout the year. When asked about his future beyond this season, Willander explained that he is not rushing into any decision and will evaluate what the best option at the end of the year is.
"I'm always thinking year by year. First off, I think it's always important to stay humble, but also I just think taking small steps at a time works best for me. Just looking at week by week, month by month. Now I'm here, and then in a few weeks, I'll be home, and then whatever happens after that happens after that."
This year the Canucks elected to have a smaller group of prospects, bringing only 28 players to Development Camp. Among the group was Aiden Celebrini, who was also drafted by Vancouver in 2023. Willander and Celebrini both played at BU last season and have become close friends throughout the year. As Willander explains, having a smaller camp that includes Celebrini is an excellent opportunity to get to know the other prospects in the system and start building more relationships.
"I think it's always fun to have a friend, but especially now that we have a smaller group here this year. I think it's a lot easier to get close to people as well. And obviously, we have a lot of people that I've seen like last year here, so I don't feel like I'm a stranger in the group."
When asked about his friendship with Celebrini, Willander explained that the roommates are very competitive on and off the ice. Both Willander and Celebrini mentioned that they have gotten into pushing and shoving matches on the ice, especially in one-on-one drills. The competitiveness even made its way to Development Camp as they tried to beat each other in the pull-up competition. According to Celebrini, the two tied, while Willander had a different view of the friendly competition.
"He did not. Not just making sure everyone understands, I definitely won the pull-up competition. It's not even a question about it. I don't know what everyone else got; I just know I got one more than Aiden. So that's all I got to say about that."
Later this Summer, Willander will be headed off to Michigan to compete for Team Sweden at the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase. Part of Sweden's Silver Medal team in 2024, Willander is expected to play a significant role for his home country at the 2025 event in Ottawa. According to Willander, he has already had conversations with head coach Magnus Hävelid but points out there is still plenty of time before the tournament starts in December.
"I spoke pretty quickly with Magnus Hävelid, the head coach, and we just talked for a little bit, just saying that, you know, excited to be able to get there and for him to and for them to see me there. There are good players, but really, for how the team would look in the World Juniors, that's like six months from now. A lot can happen, so I think that's a bit too far. "
Willander's development is critical to the Canucks success in the future. The right-shot defenceman is projected to play a crucial role in the organization once he leaves the NCAA, which, based on his current form, could be sooner rather than later. Ultimately, the 2024-25 campaign will be a massive one for Willander as he looks to lead not just BU but also Team Sweden to championships.
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