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Vancouver Canucks Top Prospect Tom Willander Shows Out in World Juniors Debut
Photo credit: Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / CP
Vancouver Canucks top prospect Tom Willander has gotten off to a hot start early at the 2025 World Juniors.
Willander, playing for Sweden at the under 20 tournament for the second straight season, picked up an assist on the power play on Sweden's second goal and played nearly 25 minutes.
The Swedes beat Slovakia fairly handily on Boxing Day, culminating in a 5-2 victory for the 2024 silver medallists.
While Willander had a solid game playing as a top defenceman for his country, he was outshone by his teammate and fellow 2023 first rounder Axel Sandin-Pellikka.
Sandin-Pellikka, Sweden's captain, was dominant with a hat trick and an assist - not exactly a shock considering the now 19 year old puck mover won defenceman of the tournament as an 18 year old one year ago.
Both of these 2023 drafted defencemen will have to play big roles if Sweden hopes to have success at the tournament, with Sandin-Pellikka driving the team's offence and Willander playing a shutdown role..
Vancouver Canucks wish for a mulligan?
While the Vancouver Canucks are excited for Tom Willander to join the NHL ranks and think he can round out their top four for years to come, it's hard not to wonder if they regret which Swedish defenceman they walked away from the 2023 draft with.
While many thought Sandin-Pellikka to be the second best defenceman in the 2023 draft (with eventual 5th overall pick David Reinbacher being consensus #1), the Canucks didn't seem to have much interest.
Given they already had Quinn Hughes who Sandin-Pellikka shares many offensive strengths with, Vancouver felt a more rounded defenceman like Willander would fit their team better.
While it's too early to make a final call, it's hard not to wonder if they made the right choice with Sandin-Pellikka's stock rising constantly since being drafted.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 248 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Top Prospect Tom Willander Shows Out in World Juniors Debut In hindsight, should the Vancouver Canucks have taken Axel Sandin-Pellikka over Tom Willander? | ||
| Yes, he's the better player | 51 | 20.6 % |
| No, Willander is a better fit for the Canucks | 133 | 53.6 % |
| Too soon to tell | 64 | 25.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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