| Tom Willander | Rogle BK | SHL | R | D | 6’1″ | 179 | Stockholm, SWE | 2005 | 2022-2023: A |
U18: 5 Nation Tournament, November 8-14, 2022: As good as any European defenseman at this tournament. Tom is a 6’1/180 pound defenseman who we feel projects well enough that he could enter first round NHL draft pick conversations. First and foremost is Tom’s skating, he was without doubt as elite a skater as there is at this tournament. Extremely smooth and efficient on his blades and never appears to be laboring. His skating is flawless, he has separation speed from checkers when he rushes, he has quickness to jump off a blueline and penetrate if there is opportunity, he can rush end to end and still be back in position in time, and his ability to shoot or pass and size up the situation while in transition is second to none. He uses his excellent skating as well to assist him in excellent pinches, and with his skating and quickness he has the ability to pinch deeper into the offensive zone than other defenseman. His IQ is extremely high. He sizes up the play and will skate in order to be in a pre pinch position, causing opponents to hesitate before passing. Then just as quickly he has moved away from the pinch and back into position to ensure his team does not get outnumbered on the puck. He defends with his speed, quickness and an excellent stick that he uses to constantly strip opponents of pucks. While not overly physical or a crusher Tom has the size and strength and willingness to be physical when needed and never backs down from physical confrontation. If Tom can find a way to contribute to offense a little bit better dont be surprised to see his draft stock increase big time.
U20: J20 SuperElit: Rogle vs Sodertalje, October 7, 2022: Willander totaled a game high 24:36 in ice time including 5:01 while on the power play and 0:39 while shorthanded. He is a very smooth skating right shot defender who has ice in his veins. Defensively he believes in his feet which allows him to be aggressive on loose pucks and a lot of times he is still moving forward as the play is coming towards him. He earned a primary assist on a play where he was chased out of the offensive zone dur to a bouncing puck. Once in the neutral zone he settled the puck while looking the lone Sodertalje forechecker off and then he showed puck poise and explosiveness as he took off down his strongside wing to fire a royal road one-timer to his teammate who was heading backdoor. Willander was on the ice for two goals against. The first of which was on a delayed penalty where he was going to be called for a hook. This play is a bit concerning for us because even though it might have been a garbage call he quit on the play after he saw the delayed penalty call. The second goal against came off a give away directly in front of his net where he threw a pizza that got went right to the lone forechecker. He finished the game -1 with 1 assist, 2 PP shots, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 2 hits, received 2 hard hits and had 2 shots blocked.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images