After a lengthy contract dispute, the Vancouver Canucks have signed star prospect Tom Willander to an entry-level deal. The three-year deal begins in the 2025-26 regular season and includes $800,000 worth of bonuses. It took a while for Willander’s camp and the Canucks to reach this point. Conversely, now that he has been signed, Canucks fans can breathe a sigh of relief.
Willander Spent the Past Two Seasons at Boston University
Willander was picked 11th overall by Vancouver in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. After being selected, he joined Boston University for two seasons. He put up a total of six goals and 43 assists in 77 games played. In both stints with the BU Terriers, he was named to Hockey East’s second All-Star team. His 2024-25 season ended after the Terriers lost 6-2 to Western Michigan in the Frozen Four. As well as playing with BU, Willander also took part in two World Junior Championships with Team Sweden. He scored three points in seven games in 2024, and five points in seven games in 2025.
The Willander Contract Saga Was a Long One
Despite Willander arguably being the team’s top prospect at the moment, it took the Canucks a long time to sign him. Initially, Vancouver claimed that Willander wished to return to Boston for school. External sources quashed this claim, stating that Willander wanted to “turn pro.” Things cooled for a bit, though they quickly returned after rumours that Vancouver and Willander were only $200,000 apart. Tensions rose when Willander went to Sweden to compete for his home team in the Men’s 2025 IIHF World Championship. While he was ultimately not selected, his decision indicated that he and the Canucks were farther apart than many in the respective parties would have preferred.
Willander’s Contract Signing Is Relieving for More Than Just Fans
“We are excited to have Tom under contract and for him to start his professional hockey career,” Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement released today. “Our group has watched him closely the past couple of seasons and have been impressed with his progression and growth in the N.C.A.A. Now is the perfect time for him to take the next step and join our organization. The hard work starts this summer, and we look forward to seeing where Tom is at this September at training camp.”
“We are happy it is done,” Willander’s agent, Todd Diamond, added via statement. “Tom can realize his dream to play for the Canucks and work to make the roster.”
Willander will enter training camp under the guidance of new Canucks head coach Adam Foote, who was named to the role earlier today. Things are happening in Vancouver. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the summer turns out. One thing is for sure, it being a quiet summer on the Wet Coast is unlikely. Between Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Quinn Hughes the Canucks roster has the potential to have a big shift of the balance of power in it.
Main Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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