Canucks prospect Tom Willander already standing out big time at Boston University

Tom Willander is one of the best prospects in the Vancouver Canucks organization and there's no doubt in anyone's mind that he'll be ready to make the jump to professional hockey at the end of the 2024-25 season.

In the meantime, Willander is focused on his sophomore season with Boston University in the NCAA, which is currently off to a flying start. With Lane Hutson and Cade Webber moving on to the professional ranks this season, Willander has been given an even bigger role with Boston University and so far, he's showing that he can handle the pressure that comes with it.

On Friday night, Boston University hosted UConn for their third game of the 2024-25 season. Boston University was looking for their third win of the new campaign after defeating Holy Cross (5-2) and Union (4-1) in their first two games.

Late in the third period last night, Willander came up clutch for his school, scoring to give Boston University a two-goal lead and helped ensure they'd be picking up their third win of the season.

Los Angeles Kings prospect Jack Hughes made a beautiful pass to Willander, who was wide open at the top of the circle. Willander then fired a one-timer past the UConn netminder to give Boston University a 4-2 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the third period.

So far in three games this season, Willander has put up three points (one goal, two assists), two penalty minutes and is a plus-four. By being given an expanded role this year, Willander has a pretty good shot at breaking his previous high in points from last season, which was 25, as he'll likely see time on Boston University's top powerplay unit.

Aside from playing with Boston University, Tom Willander has another big challenge and opportunity ahead of him in the coming months - the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Last year, Sweden came close to winning on home ice, but unraveled in the gold medal game, falling to the United States by a score of 6 to 2. The Swedes will be missing some big names this time around however because Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Elias Pettersson, Noah Ostlund and Filip Bystedt have all aged out.

If Willander continues to perform well in the NCAA, it wouldn't be a shock to anyone if he signs his entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks once Boston University's season comes to an end.