Now in his draft-plus-two campaign, Vancouver Canucks prospect Tom Willander has shown a relentless drive to refine his craft and elevate his game.

While his freshman year – and initial transition to the North American game – should be considered a success, there were still blemishes in areas that demanded attention.

Thus, both the player and Canucks organization felt that a return for his sophomore season with the Boston University Terriers was best for his long-term growth.

So far, he’s proving that to be a beneficial choice.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more devoted prospect when it comes to refining his craft, and this season, he’s demonstrating why he belongs in the conversation as one of the Canucks’ most promising young players.

After spending his freshman year in the shadow of standout defenceman Lane Hutson, Willander has stepped confidently into an expanded role.

This season, he’s upped his average ice time by nearly three minutes — going from 20:04 last year to 22:34 — and is enjoying his time as one of Boston University’s most utilized players.

Despite continuing to play second fiddle on the power play to another Hutson – Lane’s younger brother, Cole – he’s getting much more time to work the secondary unit. In addition, he has taken on critical shutdown responsibilities, thriving in high-pressure moments and continuing to serve as a key penalty killer for the Terriers.

Offensively, Willander has taken leaps as well. He currently trails Cole Hutson by just one point for the team lead among defencemen, with two goals and nine points in 14 games. He also carries a plus-six rating, which is good for second on a middling BU team.

It’s not the numbers that stand out, though. It’s the evolution of his game and the improvement in the areas that previously needed work. His strengths are sharper, and his weaknesses are being addressed confidently.

By now, it’s no secret that Willander’s defensive acumen sets him apart from the pack. His sublime skating sets the foundation, allowing him to navigate the neutral zone and his own end with ease.

Whether he’s closing gaps, using his stick to disrupt plays, or effectively leveraging his body, Willander knows how to make life difficult for his opposition.

Off the rush, his stick remains in constant motion. Even if not directly in contact with the player, he eliminates lanes and cuts down his opponents’ time. That often leads to poor judgment plays, scrambled reads and, in most cases, little to no success. Using that stick as a guide, he’s strong in his ability to force opponents to the perimeter.

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 191 pounds, Willander also knows how to make his presence felt in front of the net. He’s got a mean streak and uses it to ensure his opponents can’t get the inside track on him.

Though he doesn’t throw his weight around for highlight-reel hits, he leverages his strength when needed and, with the third-most blocked shots on the Terriers (21), shows no hesitation in sacrificing his body for the team.

Overall, Willander’s defensive consistency and willingness to engage physically remain key reasons he’s on track for a successful transition to the pro ranks.

Of course, if you’ve been following the trajectory of Willander’s game, you probably aren’t shocked to see that his defensive areas continue to thrive. Although typically considered a two-way defender, his game is unapologetically geared toward the defensive side of the puck.

Be sure to keep that in mind as he transitions into the professional ranks.

While Willander’s defensive prowess has never been in question, his offensive game needed polishing — and that’s exactly what he’s been working on.

Is he a modern-day Bobby Orr? Not quite. There are still moments where his transition to smaller ice exposes some hiccups. But the strides he’s taken offensively are promising and speak volumes to the work he’s put in over the off-season.

Last season, Willander often seemed hesitant to engage offensively. His puck-carrying lacked confidence and fluidity, and that, along with moments of indecision, led to bobbled pucks and missed opportunities.

This year, however, he appears much more confident in handling the puck. As a result, he’s much more engaged in the play and is willing to activate into the offensive play. In the two assists below, Willander can be seen joining the rush, reading the play effectively and setting up his teammate with a prudent pass.

What makes his willingness to jump up in the play enticing is that when coupled with his tremendous feet, things tend to get spicy. Using quick head fakes, jukes and nifty cutbacks, he’s creating much more ice for himself and his teammates, opening up new avenues for further offence.

That confidence has trickled into his transition game. On a nightly basis, his game feels less rushed, and rather than making a forced play to place teammates in bad (or handcuffed) positions, he’s much more inclined to slow things down and take the easier, more effective approach.

Whether delivering a stretch pass or carrying it up himself, each move feels much more calculated and smooth.

And, of course, when he has the time, he whips cross-ice feeds like the best of them.

Of course, there’s still room for improvement. The transition to North American ice remains a work in progress, and there are occasional lapses where Willander’s old habits resurface.

Under pressure, he still has moments of frantic forced plays or puck bobbles, but those instances are becoming fewer and farther between as the season progresses.

This year, he’s shown a willingness to shoot more frequently, and the results have been promising. He’s not winding up for huge slap shots, but his quick-release wrist shot is both powerful and precise — low and on target, ideal for creating deflection and rebound opportunities.

His two goals have showcased his ability to unleash from time to time. While it may not be an element that pops up consistently at the NHL level, it’s a good weapon in the tool kit.

These improvements point to a player who is becoming more well-rounded and dynamic. The offensive side of Willander’s game still has room to grow, and there are occasional moments where his old habits resurface — particularly under in-zone pressure. But these instances are happening less frequently, and the strides he’s made indicate a player who is well on his way to becoming a reliable two-way presence and proving why the Canucks had faith in him to become a prominent fixture in their top-four future on the right side.

Until then, fans won’t have to wait long to watch Willander on the big stage. The World Junior Championships are just around the corner, and the Canucks’ top defensive prospect has officially been named to Team Sweden’s roster.

This will be Willander’s second — and final — World Juniors, and he’s set to continue building his impressive international resume. Last year, he played an integral role in helping Sweden secure a silver medal on home soil, logging 137 minutes over seven games and finishing tied for third in the tournament with a plus-nine rating.

Given what we’ve seen this season, his game feels well on track to take on the rigours of the professional game. Whether that be in Vancouver or Abbotsford, it looks increasingly likely that you’ll see his name stitched onto a Canucks uniform this spring.