By Canadian Press

Canucks select Tom Willander 11th overall at NHL draft

Jun 28, 2023 | 6:48 PM

NASHVILLE — The Vancouver Canucks selected Tom Willander with the No. 11 pick in the 2023 NHL draft Wednesday.

Willander, a six-foot-one, 180-pound defenceman, had 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 39 games for Rogle BK’s under-20 team in Sweden.

The 18-year-old Swede grew up a Canucks fan thanks to countrymen Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

Willander has committed to join the NCAA’s Boston University as a freshman next season.

The Canucks missed the playoffs last season for a third consecutive year after going 38-37-7 and finishing sixth in the Pacific division. They went 20-12-4 after head coach Rick Tocchet replaced Bruce Boudreau in January.

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Vancouver is set to make six more selections, starting with No. 75, when the draft continues with Rounds 2-7 on Thursday.

General manager Patrik Allvin had spoken about the possibility of trading up in the draft order but the team opted to stay at the 11th overall pick.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2023.

The Canadian Press