Vancouver Canucks prospect Tom Willander has yet to sign an Entry-Level Contract (ELC) with the club, and according to NHL insider Irfaan Gaffar, that delay appears to be the result of a personal choice by the player, not a lack of interest from the organization.
Willander, the Canucks’ 11th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, just wrapped up a solid sophomore season at Boston University, where he recorded 2 goals and 24 points in 39 games. The 20-year-old defenceman played a central role in the Terriers’ run to the Frozen Four, where they were ultimately eliminated by Western Michigan in the Championship game.
While it’s common for NCAA prospects to sign with their NHL clubs immediately after their collegiate seasons end- such as Washington’s Ryan Leonard and Edmonton’s Quinn Hutson, who signed just one day after- Willander has yet to put pen to paper with Vancouver.
Gaffar addressed the situation in today’s episode of Canucks Conversation.
“I don’t think it’s for a lack of trying from the Canucks. They tried,” Gaffar said. “It’s a little bit weird it hasn’t happened, and now that we’re here into the last two games, it’s probably not going to happen.”
According to Gaffar, the delay is believed to be Willander’s own decision, possibly tied to his desire to finish out his academic commitments at BU.
“I’m not sure he wants to go play in Abbotsford right now. He’ll finish the school year and see what happens next season,” Gaffar added. “The fact it hasn’t happened yet probably means it won’t this season.”
Willander is widely viewed as the Canucks’ top defence prospect and the most significant addition to the blueline pipeline since Quinn Hughes. The Canucks had hoped to bring him into the fold sooner to begin working with development staff, but for now, that plan is on hold.
“He’s a guy who views himself very highly, as he should,” Gaffar said. “I think he does end up a Vancouver Canuck- it’s just a bit weird.”
As of now, Willander remains unsigned, and the situation will likely be revisited after the school year concludes should he not sign before the Canucks’ final game of the season.
You can watch the full episode of Canucks Conversation below.
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