Willander selected at #11 by Vancouver; Four recruits earn spots on Hlinka-Gretzky camp roster

 

Incoming freshman defenseman Tom Willander was selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft--#11 overall--by the Vancouver Canucks. The 6'1" 180 right shot is the 23rd Terrier selected in the opening round and the first since Trevor Zegras in 2019. The last BU defensemen drafted in the first round were Charley McAvoy (#14) and Dante Fabbro (#17) in 2016.

Tom Willander is the 1st European Terrier ever to be taken in the 1st round of the NHL Draft, the 2nd non-American, and the 23rd Overall https://t.co/BJ8tl8FYsr

— BU Hockey Stats (@BUHockeyStats) June 29, 2023

The Canucks, whose Director of Player Personnel is Terrier standout and former BU Director of Hockey Operations Scott Young, had been rumored to have strong interest in the Swedish blueliner who played for Rögle BK as an eventual defense partner for Quinn Hughes. 

BU Head Coach Jay Pandolfo and Associate Head Coach Joe Pereira joined Willander and his family in Nashville. In his interview with Rinkside Reporter Kate Pettersen, he referred to them as "next year's coaches."

                                Screen grab by BurntBoats

Discussing the Canuck's pick, Pereira told The Athletic, “You’re getting a guy that defends at an elite level that can skate, has power, and I think he’s the best transition D in the draft. I think you’re getting a great kid that wants to be a top-four guy and play in the National Hockey League.”

In his media availability (see link below), Willander explained that after BU contacted him, “I quickly understood that BU was a really good school, so I wasn’t interested in going to other places.”

 

The Athletic: 

"The pitch from BU was simple: Come play in a big hockey market at one of the top men’s hockey programs in the country with a track record of attracting NHL talent (Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk), under coach Jay Pandolfo, a two-time Stanley Cup champion as a player with five years of NHL coaching experience under his belt."

● BU Men's Hockey Twitter Video: A moment Tom Willander will never forget

● BU Men's Hockey Twitter Willander Media Availability (discusses choices of NCAA and BU)

● GoTerriers.com Willander Selected #11 by Vancouver (draft videos)

● SportsNet.ca video (Selection by Vancouver, analysis, mentions BU)

● Canucks GM Press Conference (Discusses Willander playing college hockey)

● The Athletic (subscription) How Willander became one of the 2023 draft's biggest risers

● The Hockey News Canucks select Tom Willander at #11

● SportsNet.ca Willander's rise from B prospect to early draft pick  

In addition to the BU-connected execs mentioned in our previous post, draft selections were announced by Nashville Assistant GM Jeff Kealty and New York Rangers Director of Amateur Scouting John Lilley. Kealty himself had been a first-round draft pick by Quebec in 1994.

The draft resumes Thursday with Gavin McCarthy and 2024 recruit Brandon Svoboda among those likely to be selected.

 

►BU got a bit ahead of itself, Tweeting this video on Tuesday. But today, Thursday, it's 100% spot on.

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1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ days until our season opener! pic.twitter.com/kKanUsjrT8

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) June 27, 2023

 

Looking ahead

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Owen Keefe, Callum Hughes, Will Zellers and John McNelis all make this roster, no other school had that many recruits make it #BUSA https://t.co/uca3kUl78C

— BurntBoats (@BurntBoats) June 28, 2023

Zellers, a 2024 recruit, tied for second in scoring at the Select 17 tournament with nine point (3G,6A). Hughes, also a 2024, had four goals. McNelis, a 2025 recruit, had six points (4G,2A). Defenseman Keefe, a 2024 recruit, had a goal and two assists.