We are back with our 2025 mid-season edition of our CanucksArmy top 20 <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> prospect rankings.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;
Now is probably a good time to set another reminder to review our rankings&#8217; criteria (Honourable Mentions). It&#8217;s crucial to know because these rankings are missing some names that may be in other ranks. Ultimately, that bumps every player up a few spots.
If you are curious about our ranking criteria, check them out in our <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-criteria-honourable-mentions">Honourable Mentions </a>installment.
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">20 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-20-lucas-forsell">Lucas Forsell</a></li>
<li class="li2">19 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-19-jett-woo">Jett Woo</a></li>
<li class="li1">18 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-18-parker-alcos">Parker Alcos</a></li>
<li class="li1">17 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-17-josh-bloom">Josh Bloom</a></li>
<li class="li1">16 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-16-aku-koskenvuo">Aku Koskenvuo</a></li>
<li class="li2">15 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-15-ty-young">Ty Young</a></li>
<li class="li1">14 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-14-danila-klimovich">Danila Klimovich</a></li>
<li class="li1">13 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-13-nikita-tolopilo">Nikita Tolopilo</a></li>
<li class="li1">12 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-12-cole-mcward">Cole McWard</a></li>
<li class="li1">11 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-11-ty-mueller">Ty Mueller</a></li>
<li class="li1">10 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-10-anthony-romani">Anthony Romani</a></li>
<li class="li1">9 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-9-riley-patterson">Riley Patterson</a></li>
<li class="li1">8 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-8-vilmer-alriksson">Vilmer Alriksson</a></li>
<li class="li1">7 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-7-arshdeep-bains">Arshdeep Bains</a></li>
<li>6 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-6-victor-mancini">Victor Mancini</a></li>
<li>#5 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-5-sawyer-mynio?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter">Sawyer Mynio</a></li>
<li>#4 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-4-kirill-kudryavtsev">Kirill Kudryavtsev</a> </li>
<li>#3 — Elias Pettersson</li>
</ul>
Number 2 is&#8230;
<blockquote>Tom Willander</blockquote>
Team: Boston University | Age: 20 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’1 | Weight: 191 lbs | Shoots: Right | Drafted: First round, 11 overall, 2023 | Last year’s rank: 2
We’ve finally hit the meaty part of the bone with our second-ranked Vancouver Canucks prospects.
Let&#8217;s face it. While the list of names that came before is intriguing and certainly carries those that the organization and fans hope to hit, only two names genuinely fall within the “must hit” section of the prospect pyramid.
Tom Willander, their highest-drafted prospect, represents one of those two.
With “must hit” in mind, the upcoming decisions made by the Vancouver Canucks’ top brass will be critically important for the Swedish defender’s overall development. As a fan, it’s easy to carry the notion that he will/should immediately slide into NHL deployment upon signing an Entry-Level deal this spring (we hope).
But it’s a decision that must be made with incredible thought and cannot be rushed.
Currently navigating his sophomore season at Boston University, Willander has solidified his position as a cornerstone of the Terriers&#8217; defence. Following Lane Hutson&#8217;s departure, many expected Willander to step into a dominant role on the blue line, becoming the undisputed driver of the defensive corps.
But the Terriers have a secret weapon in the form of Lane’s younger brother, Cole, who has taken the keys and hit the throttle as the go-to option.
But it hasn&#8217;t necessarily tapped into Willander&#8217;s utilization all that much.
Like last season, the Swedish rearguard has continued to thrive within a system emphasizing balanced deployment. Head Coach Jay Pandolfo has effectively utilized a split-pairing system, allowing Willander and Cole Hutson to flourish in their respective roles while both eat big minutes.
Second-line pair on paper or not, the Vancouver draftee continues to log significant minutes, averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per game, with several games surpassing the 26-minute mark. That includes splitting powerplay duties and heavy minutes on the penalty kill.
In terms of the player himself, there are tons of intangibles to be excited about as a Vancouver Canucks fan. But if it’s a dynamic offensive defender you are expecting, you should probably change your tune right now.
While he possesses a solid shot, using crafty pump fakes and quick whipped snaps to get through traffic, his defining trait is his remarkable combination of high-grade skating ability and relentless competitiveness. He plays with a tenacious intensity, aggressively shutting down opposing players and effectively preventing them from driving wide on him.
He’s as competitive as they come and refuses to quit on plays. Losing battles just doesn’t seem to be a part of his shtick.
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Willander&#039;s shutdown game" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c1e07OM2Wyg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
His fluid skating and manipulative cutbacks allow him to transition quickly, pivot effectively, and disrupt rushes with remarkable agility. His smooth and dynamic movements often draw comparisons to some of the more respected NHL defenders.
While his puck work may not be his bread-and-butter, he has taken nice strides in his puck-handling skills and decision-making abilities from year to year. He&#8217;s up to 18 points this season, a mere seven points shy of his freshman totals with ten fewer games played.
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Willander&#039;s skating and puckhandling" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMvGVD1fOiM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Like his handling skills, he’s improved vastly in his transition game. Whether it&#8217;s his retrievals, first-pass, or IQ within the offensive zone, he appears more confident and calculated in his decisions and execution.
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Willander retrievals" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0fZI5ztvw8g?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
He may have just celebrated his 20th birthday, but he’s already taken the ice for a list of big-level games, which includes World Junior Gold Medal games and a recent Beanpot Championship victory.
He’s as competitive as they come and an incredible gamer in every sense of the word.
To put it all in a bow, he’s a sharp student. Willander has heavily emphasized his studies and is considered a straight-A student. He brings a mature composure on and off the ice and embraces the pressure of being a go-to option on a team.
While the plan was always to remain at school for two seasons, we have no questions about his readiness to turn pro as early as this spring.
The big question is whether it will be in Abbotsford or Vancouver.
Ceiling: Willander&#8217;s ceiling is that of a two-to-three NHL defenceman, excelling in a two-way, penalty-killing role. His exceptional skating, physical presence, and strong defensive acumen make him a shutdown defender capable of logging significant minutes against top competition. While not his primary focus, his offensive development leads us to believe that he could contribute to the secondary power play, if needed, while sprinkling in some offence somewhere in the 30–45 points range.
Floor: We are convinced his floor is a reliable NHL defenceman, providing a solid foundation for a successful NHL career. Whether it’s a second, third, or seventh defender, he brings far too many elements not to be considered at the highest rank. Even if his offensive game doesn&#8217;t fully materialize, his defensive capabilities and physicality should ensure he plays a valuable role on the team.
ETA: At this point, his ETA truly comes down to his decision to turn pro and, ultimately, his immediate transition. With NCAA playoffs just weeks away, we won’t have to wait long for our answer. But if he signs his ELC and he’s not in Vancouver’s lineup by this spring, expect him to get the Jonathan Lekkerimäki treatment, push for a spot out of camp, and see sporadic cups of coffee throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
Sponsored by bet365
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
&nbsp;

We are back with our 2025 mid-season edition of our CanucksArmy top 20 <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> prospect rankings.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;

Now is probably a good time to set another reminder to review our rankings' criteria (Honourable Mentions). It's crucial to know because these rankings are missing some names that may be in other ranks. Ultimately, that bumps every player up a few spots.

If you are curious about our ranking criteria, check them out in our <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-criteria-honourable-mentions">Honourable Mentions </a>installment.
<ul class="ul1">
 	<li class="li1">20 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-20-lucas-forsell">Lucas Forsell</a></li>
 	<li class="li2">19 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-19-jett-woo">Jett Woo</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">18 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-18-parker-alcos">Parker Alcos</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">17 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-17-josh-bloom">Josh Bloom</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">16 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-16-aku-koskenvuo">Aku Koskenvuo</a></li>
 	<li class="li2">15 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-15-ty-young">Ty Young</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">14 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-14-danila-klimovich">Danila Klimovich</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">13 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-13-nikita-tolopilo">Nikita Tolopilo</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">12 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-12-cole-mcward">Cole McWard</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">11 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-11-ty-mueller">Ty Mueller</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">10 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-10-anthony-romani">Anthony Romani</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">9 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-9-riley-patterson">Riley Patterson</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">8 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-8-vilmer-alriksson">Vilmer Alriksson</a></li>
 	<li class="li1">7 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-7-arshdeep-bains">Arshdeep Bains</a></li>
 	<li>6 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-6-victor-mancini">Victor Mancini</a></li>
 	<li>#5 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-5-sawyer-mynio?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter">Sawyer Mynio</a></li>
 	<li>#4 — <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-4-kirill-kudryavtsev">Kirill Kudryavtsev</a> </li>
 	<li>#3 — Elias Pettersson</li>
</ul>
Number 2 is...
<blockquote>Tom Willander</blockquote>
Team: Boston University | Age: 20 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’1 | Weight: 191 lbs | Shoots: Right | Drafted: First round, 11 overall, 2023 | Last year’s rank: 2

We’ve finally hit the meaty part of the bone with our second-ranked Vancouver Canucks prospects.

Let's face it. While the list of names that came before is intriguing and certainly carries those that the organization and fans hope to hit, only two names genuinely fall within the “must hit” section of the prospect pyramid.

Tom Willander, their highest-drafted prospect, represents one of those two.

With “must hit” in mind, the upcoming decisions made by the Vancouver Canucks’ top brass will be critically important for the Swedish defender’s overall development. As a fan, it’s easy to carry the notion that he will/should immediately slide into NHL deployment upon signing an Entry-Level deal this spring (we hope).

But it’s a decision that must be made with incredible thought and cannot be rushed.

Currently navigating his sophomore season at Boston University, Willander has solidified his position as a cornerstone of the Terriers' defence. Following Lane Hutson's departure, many expected Willander to step into a dominant role on the blue line, becoming the undisputed driver of the defensive corps.

But the Terriers have a secret weapon in the form of Lane’s younger brother, Cole, who has taken the keys and hit the throttle as the go-to option.

But it hasn't necessarily tapped into Willander's utilization all that much.

Like last season, the Swedish rearguard has continued to thrive within a system emphasizing balanced deployment. Head Coach Jay Pandolfo has effectively utilized a split-pairing system, allowing Willander and Cole Hutson to flourish in their respective roles while both eat big minutes.

Second-line pair on paper or not, the Vancouver draftee continues to log significant minutes, averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per game, with several games surpassing the 26-minute mark. That includes splitting powerplay duties and heavy minutes on the penalty kill.

In terms of the player himself, there are tons of intangibles to be excited about as a Vancouver Canucks fan. But if it’s a dynamic offensive defender you are expecting, you should probably change your tune right now.

While he possesses a solid shot, using crafty pump fakes and quick whipped snaps to get through traffic, his defining trait is his remarkable combination of high-grade skating ability and relentless competitiveness. He plays with a tenacious intensity, aggressively shutting down opposing players and effectively preventing them from driving wide on him.

He’s as competitive as they come and refuses to quit on plays. Losing battles just doesn’t seem to be a part of his shtick.

https://youtu.be/c1e07OM2Wyg

His fluid skating and manipulative cutbacks allow him to transition quickly, pivot effectively, and disrupt rushes with remarkable agility. His smooth and dynamic movements often draw comparisons to some of the more respected NHL defenders.

While his puck work may not be his bread-and-butter, he has taken nice strides in his puck-handling skills and decision-making abilities from year to year. He's up to 18 points this season, a mere seven points shy of his freshman totals with ten fewer games played.

https://youtu.be/ZMvGVD1fOiM

Like his handling skills, he’s improved vastly in his transition game. Whether it's his retrievals, first-pass, or IQ within the offensive zone, he appears more confident and calculated in his decisions and execution.

https://youtu.be/0fZI5ztvw8g

He may have just celebrated his 20th birthday, but he’s already taken the ice for a list of big-level games, which includes World Junior Gold Medal games and a recent Beanpot Championship victory.

He’s as competitive as they come and an incredible gamer in every sense of the word.

To put it all in a bow, he’s a sharp student. Willander has heavily emphasized his studies and is considered a straight-A student. He brings a mature composure on and off the ice and embraces the pressure of being a go-to option on a team.

While the plan was always to remain at school for two seasons, we have no questions about his readiness to turn pro as early as this spring.

The big question is whether it will be in Abbotsford or Vancouver.

Ceiling: Willander's ceiling is that of a two-to-three NHL defenceman, excelling in a two-way, penalty-killing role. His exceptional skating, physical presence, and strong defensive acumen make him a shutdown defender capable of logging significant minutes against top competition. While not his primary focus, his offensive development leads us to believe that he could contribute to the secondary power play, if needed, while sprinkling in some offence somewhere in the 30–45 points range.

Floor: We are convinced his floor is a reliable NHL defenceman, providing a solid foundation for a successful NHL career. Whether it’s a second, third, or seventh defender, he brings far too many elements not to be considered at the highest rank. Even if his offensive game doesn't fully materialize, his defensive capabilities and physicality should ensure he plays a valuable role on the team.

ETA: At this point, his ETA truly comes down to his decision to turn pro and, ultimately, his immediate transition. With NCAA playoffs just weeks away, we won’t have to wait long for our answer. But if he signs his ELC and he’s not in Vancouver’s lineup by this spring, expect him to get the Jonathan Lekkerimäki treatment, push for a spot out of camp, and see sporadic cups of coffee throughout the 2025-26 campaign.

Sponsored by bet365
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
&nbsp;

Recent articles from Dave Hall

Breaking News