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Vancouver Canucks Reportedly Sign Top Prospect Tom Willander to Entry-Level Contract, But There's More
Photo credit: NHL.com
Vancouver Canucks fans are likely grinning ear-to-ear now following some major news regarding the team's top prospect Tom Willander.
Earlier on Monday, a report from Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects said that Tom Willander returned to Boston for college classes after the Frozen Four instead of heading to Vancouver, which raised the eyebrows of some fans who were wondering when he was going to put pen to paper.
There was some suggestion that the sticking point in negotiations between Tom Willander's camp and the Vancouver Canucks brass had to do with Schedule A bonuses, but it appears that issue may have been rectified.
Vancouver Canucks reportedly sign top prospect Tom Willander
Just a few minutes after the puck dropped at Rogers Arena for tonight's game between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff revealed that the team HAS signed Tom Willander to his entry-level contract.
Seravalli shared that he's unsure of when the contract will be officially announced by the Canucks, but Tom Willander's entry-level deal will begin in the 2025-26 season.
It's also unclear at this time if Tom Willander will be signing an amateur tryout contract (ATO) to join the Abbotsford Canucks for the remainder of the 2024-25 season and Calder Cup Playoffs.
"Hearing #Canucks and 2023 first round pick Tom Willander have an agreement in place on an entry-level deal that begins in the 2025-26 season.
Not entirely clear when deal will be announced, but he's turning pro.
Willander is back on campus finishing out the semester." Seravalli said on X.
Not entirely clear when deal will be announced, but he's turning pro.
Willander is back on campus finishing out the semester." Seravalli said on X.
Willander, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, registered 24 points (two goals, 22 assists), eight penalty minutes and was a plus-19 in 39 games in the NCAA for Boston University this season.
The signing of Tom Willander is massive news for the Vancouver Canucks organization as it gives them a boost on the blueline for the future, with several other defensemen on the way or just beginning their NHL career too including Elias Pettersson, Sawyer Mynio, Victor Mancini, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Cole McWard, among others.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 14 | 444 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Reportedly Sign Top Prospect Tom Willander to Entry-Level Contract, But There's More Do you think Tom Willander will begin the 2025-26 season in the NHL with Vancouver? | ||
| Yes | 215 | 48.4 % |
| No, he'll start in the AHL | 229 | 51.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
