Tom Willander expected to make NHL debut against Rangers

Willander was selected 11th overall by Vancouver in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The defenseman is expected to make his NHL debut Tuesday against the New York Rangers.

Along with the Willander call up, general manager Patrik Allvin announced that defenseman Victor Mancini has been placed on injured reserve, and defenseman Derek Forbort has been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

Willander has played five games for the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks this season, where he’s tallied a goal and an assist to go along with a -5 plus/minus. The Stockholm, Sweden native spent the last two years in the NCAA playing for Boston University, where he impressed with six goals and 43 assists for 49 points over 77 total games. Willander was noted for his strong skating and well-rounded style as a prospect.

Mancini left Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers in the second period and did not return. The details of his injury are still unclear, but he took a hard check from Edmonton’s Trent Frederic in his last shift.

Vancouver acquired Mancini from the Rangers in the trade that sent J.T. Miller to New York. He’s played five games for the Canucks this season and has yet to register a point.

Forbort has missed all but two games for Vancouver this season dealing with an undisclosed injury. His placement on LTIR signals he’s stil not close to returning. Last season, Forbort tallied two goals and nine assists in 54 gamed for the Canucks, while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per game. The veteran signed a one-year, $2 million deal this past offseason to stay in Vancouver.

After hosting the Rangers on Tuesday, the Canucks will kick off a three-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.