Sophomore Tom Willander of the Boston University men’s ice hockey team has been named to Sweden’s World Junior Championship roster, as announced on Wednesday.
This will be the second straight year that Willander will skate for his country at this tournament. He helped lead Sweden to silver at the 2024 World Junior Championship, Willander was impressive all tournament, leading the Swedes as a plus-9 in addition to scoring one goal and two assists. His one goal was the game-winner in a 2-0 victory over Canada that clinched the top spot in Sweden’s group. The dynamic defenseman also won silver with Sweden at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, leadling all defensemen in that tournament with three goals and finishing third among all blue liners with eight points.
A native of Stockholm, Willander has been fantastic for the Terriers in his second season at BU. He is tied for fifth among Hockey East defenders with nine points thanks to two goals and seven assists. He is a plus-6 and has blocked 21 shots, which is second-most of any league defender with at least nine points. Willander began the season with a point in his first five games and scored the game-winning goal at then-No. 7 North Dakota on Oct. 26. He also assisted on both goals in a 2-2 tie at then-No. 7 Maine on Nov. 16.
The 2025 World Junior Championship will be held Dec. 26, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario.