Jonathan Lekkerimäki getting the promotion to Vancouver leaves the top spot open and Willander slides in after strong showing at the world juniors
Willander, 19, who was the Canucks’ first-round pick (No. 11) in the 2023 NHL Draft, is slated to return to the Boston University Terriers this week, the sophomore defender coming off a strong showing for Sweden at the world junior tournament in Ottawa.
The Swedes finished fourth, losing the bronze medal game to Czechia 3-2 in ashootout after falling 4-3 in overtime to the Finns in the semifinals.
The Americans won gold, beating the Finns by that same 4-3 scoreline in OT, and the U.S. featured the Boston University trio of forwards Cole Eiserman and Brandon Svoboda, and defenceman Cole Hutson.
The Americans and Swedes didn’t play each other in the tournament. They were on a collision course to meet up in the final.
Willander led all Swedes and was third overall in ice time during the tournament, averaging 24:21 per game. He bagged five points, including two goals, along the way.
Boston University came into this season with high hopes, sitting at No. 3 in the USCHO national rankings. They have had their struggles, though, and carry a 9-7-1 overall record and a No. 15 spot in this week’s rankings into home games Friday and Saturday against unranked Vermont (8-8-3).
Here’s the latest. (Last week’s ranking for a player is in parentheses.)
1. Tom Willander, D, Boston University Terriers (2)
BU has played just once since Dec. 11, so their record hasn’t been hampered by players being at world juniors. Willander (16-2-7-9) is eighth in team scoring.
The 23-year-old, who was a 2022 free-agent signing, had two assists last week. Bains (15-2-11-13), who had been playing on a line with Nils Åman and Linus Karlsson, was with Räty and Danila Klimovich in Laval.
Pettersson (30-1-11-12) recorded an assist and had three shots in the final game versus Laval. The 20-year-old, who was a 2022 third-round draft pick by Vancouver, continues to sit second on Abbotsford in plus-minus (plus-five) and is also second in penalty minutes (32). He’s been playing at even strength with Mark Friedman.
5. Kirill Kudryavtsev, D, Abbotsford (6)
The 2022 seventh rounder has been paired with Jett Woo of late. Kudryavtsev (27-2-14-16) continues to lead the Abbotsford d-men in scoring and he’s third on the team in plus-minus (plus-four).
6. Sawyer Mynio, D, Calgary Hitmen (9)
Started out as the extra defencemen for Team Canada at world juniors but the 19-year-old was added to the line-up after an injury to Matthew Schaefer. He had one assist in three games there. Mynio (18-5-14-19), who was 2023 third rounder, was traded in the WHL over the weekend, going from Seattle to the Calgary Hitmen as part of Calgary’s push for a deep playoff run this season.
7. Vilmer Alriksson, LW, Brampton Steelheads (10)
Alriksson (29-12-16-28) recorded two assists in a 4-3 New Year’s Day loss to Kingston and one goal and one assist in a 5-4 win over Flint. The 19-year-old, who was a 2023 fourth rounder, was a recent trade pick-up from Guelph. Brampton (16-15-5-0) is at Ottawa Wednesday.
8. Danila Klimovich, RW, Abbotsford (7)
The 2021 second rounder didn’t record a point in the three games last week. Klimovich (26-11-4-5), who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Thursday, did have six shots. He remains second on the team in goals after Lekkerimäki.
9. Riley Patterson, C, Barrie Colts (NR)
The 2024 fourth rounder tallied twice in a 7-4 New Year’s Eve win over Oshawa and then had a goal in a 4-1 loss to Sudbury on Thursday. Patterson (34-17-14-31) has six goals and nine points in his last six games with Barrie (24-10-1-1), who are at Owen Sound Wednesday.
10. Ty Mueller, C, Abbotsford (NR)
Mueller (5-11-16) takes over top spot on the team in scoring with Lekkerimäki now away. The 21-year-old, who was a 2023 fourth rounder, had a goal in the final game against Laval and nine shots over the three games. He’s been on a line with Karlsson and Sammy Blais of late.
Dropped of the list: Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Abbotsford (1); Artūrs Šilovs, G, Abbotsford (8).