Transaction: Vancouver Canucks Finally Call Up Promising Defense Prospect for His NHL Debut
Photo credit: Bob Frid – Imagn Images.
The Vancouver Canucks made a ton of roster moves throughout the day on Monday, one of which saw them call up a top defensive prospect to the NHL for the first time.
After dealing with some injury issues on Sunday afternoon against the Washington Capitals, including to forward Filip Chytil, who was hit by Tom Wilson, the Vancouver Canucks were forced to dip down to Abbotsford and completed a handful of roster moves.
Those roster moves made by Patrik Allvin allowed the club to maximize their LTIR pool and the club went out later on in the day to call up a couple more players from Abbotsford, including their top defensive prospect.
Vancouver Canucks call up top defensive prospects from the AHL
Shortly after 2 p.m. PT yesterday, the Vancouver Canucks shared on social media that defenseman Jimmy Schuldt has been sent back down to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL, while forward Nils Aman and top defensive prospect Tom Willander are both on their way up to the NHL.
“General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that D Jimmy Schuldt has been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL) and D Tom Willander and F Nils Åman have been recalled from Abbotsford (AHL).” the club said.
Willander, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, was the Canucks’ first round pick during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and after two solid seasons at Boston University, he made the jump to professional hockey here in North America, signing his entry-level contract with the club back in the spring.
The 20-year-old came into training camp highly motivated and wanting to prove to everyone that he was ready to play in the National Hockey League right out of the game, but despite a strong showing, he was among the final cuts before Opening Night rosters needed to be submitted to the league.
In four games with the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks to start the 2025-26 campaign, Willander has one goal, no penalty minutes and is a minus-five.
We’ll have to wait and see what Adam Foote has planned for tonight’s lineup, but there’s a good chance that Vancouver Canucks fans could see Tom Willander make his National Hockey League debut on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Previously on Canucks Daily
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Transaction: Vancouver Canucks Finally Call Up Promising Defense Prospect for His NHL Debut
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