As reported by Frank Seravalli, the Vancouver Canucks are expected to sign top defensive prospect Tom Willander to an entry level contract.

The timing of the deal is unclear, but sources have told Seravalli that they are confident a deal will happen before the start of the 2025-26 season.

The Stockholm, Sweden product was drafted No. 11 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by Vancouver.

Willander just wrapped up his 2024-25 season with the Boston University Terriers, where the team ultimately lost in the final game to the Western Michigan Broncos.

Willander notched two goals and 22 assists for 24 points in 39 games in his second season with BU. During his freshman campaign, Willander tallied four goals and 25 points in 38 games. Willander was named to the NCAA Hockey East Second All-Star Team. Through 77 games with the Terriers, Willander notched six goals and 49 points.

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis listed Willander as one of the Top 10 prospects to watch at the 2025 NCAA Frozen Four: “Hutson might have the flash, but Willander is the steadier defensive presence.” Ellis said. “He’s a two-way, strong-skating blueliner who makes a lot of skilled plays with the puck. I feel like his overall control of the disk is much more refined this year than a season ago, and he has really figured out how to handle his gap control on smaller North American ice. Willander was one of the best defenders at the World Juniors, and he’d love to keep the ship moving in the right direction with a national title.”

Internationally, Willander has represented Sweden at the IIHF Under-18 Men’s Worlds where he tallied eight points in seven games and captured a silver medal. Willander has suited up for Sweden at back-to-back World Juniors, where he won a silver medal as well.