We are back with the 2025 summer edition of our CanucksArmy top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings.

Today, we present to you our 17th-ranked player in the system — a creative and pesky Swede who was drafted in the most recent 2025 entry draft.

Our previously ranked prospects:

If you’re curious about our ranking criteria, you can find them in our HM installment.

Making his CanucksArmy prospect rankings debut is the Canucks’ most recent fifth-round pick, Wilson Björck. Coming in as the lone Swede taken out of this year’s crop, the Stockholm native is fresh off a stellar season in his second year of eligibility.

While we typically like to see 19-year-olds leap to the Allsvenskan level, Björck had a unique opportunity to play alongside his brother, Viggo — who’s projected to be a top-10 pick in next year’s (2026) NHL Draft — at the J20 Nationell level.

Together, they tore the league apart. Finishing one (Viggo) and two (Wilson) in leaguewide point production, they led their Djurgårdens squad to a J20 season title. When all was said and done with the year, Wilson finished third in goals (28), fifth in assists (39), third in plus/minus (plus-31) and also piled up the sixth-highest penalty minutes (98).

That was good for a near triple-up in each one of those categories.

He followed that up with nine points (one goal, eight assists) in nine games to earn the 2024-25 Championship.

The versatility and wide range of contributions on his statistical ledger sum up his game nicely. With a crafty demeanour, he can put points up on the board, but also thrives on the forecheck to create turnovers and drive play.

When asked about whom he tailors his game toward, he mentions a combination of Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Hughes, which aligns with his highlight package.

His motor always seems to be on, and he plays the game with a bit of an edge. Despite being a smaller set forward, he doesn’t shy away from going to the hard areas of the ice and fighting for possession.

While his shot lacks elite power, he compensates with a fearless drive to the net, scoring many of his goals from close to mid-range.

His high-energy style makes him a constant threat, whether he’s setting up teammates with precise passes or fighting for position in the slot.

If there’s any one area that’s going to carry his point production to the next level, however, it’s his playmaking ability.

If there was a knock on his game, it’s his slight 165-pound frame, which is a notable weakness. He’ll need to add significant muscle to handle the physicality and size of North American professional hockey.

But he’s making an immediate effort to test those concerns.

With hopes of being drafted, Björck has committed to crossing the pond as a Colorado College commit. It’s a rare pathway for a Swedish-born player, but one that Canucks fans know well with Tom Willander running the same course.

It’s an encouraging path, as it presents an opportunity to adapt to the smaller ice while dedicating time to strength training, addressing his primary developmental need.

The move will give us a good indication of whether his incredible 24-to-67 offensive outburst was simply a product of his favourable environment, or if his game truly did develop and bust at the seams in 2024-25.

Long-shot prospect or not, there is enough creativity and motor in his game to warrant excitement further down the road.

Ceiling: Björck’s NHL ceiling is that of a third-line centre, bringing energy, playmaking, and tenacity to a checking role. His ability to drive possession and contribute in all situations could make him a valuable depth forward, provided he adds weight and refines his offensive game.

Floor: As much as we hope for the ceiling to hit, there’s just as much of a reality where he returns to Sweden to live out his career as an SHL pivot. Could he be the Canucks’ next Arvid Costmar? Time will tell.

ETA: As a fifth-round pick, Björck is a long-shot prospect, but his combination of skill, hustle, and hockey sense offers reason for optimism. That said, Björck’s path to the NHL will likely be a long one. A 2-4 year stint in the NCAA seems likely, allowing him to build strength and adapt to the North American game.

That’s our #17 spot. Stay tuned for another installment tomorrow here at CanucksArmy.

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