Vancouver Canucks draft defenseman Tom Willander No. 11 overall in 2023 NHL Draft

There are defensemen who light up the scoreboard and defensemen you rely on to do everything in their power to shut down the opposition and win you hockey games. Tom Willander falls into the latter category thanks to his mix of excellent skating and relentless commitment to defense. He rose up draft boards as the 2022-23 season progressed, and the Vancouver Canucks ended up selecting him No. 11 overall during Round 1 of the 2023 Draft at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Willander, 18, is a wiry 6-foot-1 and 179 pounds but carries a reputation of being extremely difficult to play against. Because of his stellar skating and speed, he can shadow opposing attackers. And with strong stick checking and a non-stop motor, he can break his opponents’ will. He’s not a slouch on the offensive side of the puck, either; he actually led all blueliners in goals at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, burying three for Team Sweden’s silver-medal entry. He had 25 points in 39 games this season with Rogle’s under-20 squad and got into a couple games with the pro team in the SHL to boot.

Aside from his hockey sense, Willander isn’t believed to have a single standout trait. He’s solid defensively, makes a strong first pass and is reasonably physical. Because he does so many things well, he’s perceived to have a high floor and a strong chance to establish himself as a middle-pair NHL defenseman, though he’s unlikely to become a dominant, all-star caliber blueliner. To make the most of his shutdown ability, he’ll need another year or two of development, during which he can add some muscle to his frame.

STEVEN ELLIS’ SCOUTING REPORT

“Willander’s consistency at the U-20 level was good, and I liked how confident he looked rushing the puck during the World Junior A Challenge, in particular. Willander has been one of the biggest risers in the top 60 for me, and I think he still has quite a bit of room to improve.”