Willander impressing Canucks while still learning defenseman position

VANCOUVER -- Tom Willander already is projected to become a big part of the Vancouver Canucks defense in the future despite only playing the position full time for a couple of seasons.

Willander (6-foot-1, 180 pounds), selected by the Canucks with the No. 11 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, switched from forward to defenseman two years ago. That gives the 18-year-old right-handed shot a unique ability to see the game through the eyes of the forwards he's trying to get the puck to in transition.

"It's easier to know what situations you're putting your forwards into with different passes," Willander said. "Playing forward you don't like to get the puck going around the boards, it's not too fun when you've got a 200-pound guy on your back, so it's easier to understand what forwards feel."

The switch also may mean there's more upside for the smooth-skating Willander.

"For sure there's a (higher) ceiling in experience," he said. "Last season I had a lot of games and that helped me a lot, just getting used to it."

Willander's draft stock rose with a strong second half last season, which included 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 39 games for Rogle's team in Sweden's junior league, and eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games for Sweden at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in April.

"Building a rock-solid foundation to his game for having played defense such a short period of time is extremely impressive," said Mike Komisarek, who works in player development for the Canucks. "A lot has been thrown at him and you've got to have the mental capacity to be able to digest it."

Willander's biggest asset is his skating, but he also impressed with his defensive acumen, physical play, competitiveness and a maturity that includes choosing to continue his development at Boston University this season rather than the more traditional path of staying home to play professionally in the Swedish Hockey League.

"Smart, quick feet, strong for his size," Canucks assistant director of player development Chris Higgins said. "Really excited he's coming over and getting himself accustomed to the smaller rink, which I find is a big change for a lot of European defensemen especially."

That will allow Komisarek, who is based in Connecticut, to spend plenty of time with Willander as he adjusts to the smaller ice surface and tries to add more offense to his game in college.

After selecting Willander, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin already forecast him as the "perfect fit" on a future top defense pair with Quinn Hughes, adding Willander is capable of "a shut-down role because of the way he skates and his IQ."

If that sounds like a lot of pressure, Komisarek saw enough at development camp to believe Willander can handle it.

"The maturity level, the way he speaks, the tone in his voice, the eye contact, the way he carries himself off the ice," Komisarek said. "Right off the bat, he doesn't carry himself like an 18-year-old."