Canucks Select Tom Willander 11th Overall at 2023 NHL Entry Draft

Nashville, TN - Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has selected defenceman Tom Willander 11th overall at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in Nashville, Tennessee.

Willander, 18, spent most of the 2022.23 season with Rögle BK of the J20 Nationell league, recording 25 points (4-21-25) and 22 penalty minutes in 39 regular season games played. He led all defencemen on the team in goals, assists, and points, and tied for sixth among all skaters with a plus-minus rating of +7.

The 6'1", 179-pound right-shot defenceman also made his SHL debut with Rögle BK and appeared in six playoff games with Rögle BK of the J18 Nationell, leading the entire team in scoring with eight points (3-5-8). In an additional six playoff games with the J20 club, Willander posted a goal and three assists.

Willander played for AIK in Sweden across various levels during the 2021.22 season, including J18, J20, and HockeyAllsvenskan, most prominently tallying eight points (2-6-8) and a +15 rating in 13 games in the J18 Region league. Previously, he spent multiple seasons with Flemingsbergs IK at the U16 and J18 levels.

A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Willander has represented his country on multiple international occasions, including the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championship where he recorded eight points (3-5-8) in seven games to help Sweden capture a silver medal. He also appeared in five games (0-2-2) with Sweden at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, earning silver.

Willander has committed to the Boston University Terriers (NCAA D1) for the 2023.24 season.