Canucks assign Tom Willander, Victor Mancini to AHL

Willander, a first-round pick of the Canucks in 2023, signed a three-year entry-level contract in May, making the jump to professional hockey.

He had just completed his second season with the Boston University Terriers, notching two goals and 24 points in 39 games. In 77 total games with the Terriers, the Swedish defenceman recorded 49 points.

In three pre-season games, Willander, 20, averaged 16:33 of ice time and took two shots on goal.

Mancini, meanwhile, landed in Vancouver as part of the return for J.T. Miller in January. He ended up playing in 16 games with the Canucks, scoring a goal and averaging 15:30 minutes of ice time per contest.

The right-shot D-man played two pre-season games for the Canucks, scoring against the Seattle Kraken.

As Vancouver continues to pare down its roster, 2025 first-rounder Braeden Cootes remains at the centre of the conversation. The 18-year-old has impressed in pre-season action, scoring a pair of goals in four games while taking six shots on goal and recording a plus-2 rating.

Cootes told reporters Sunday that he is still unsure whether he will play in the opener and is just trying to take things one day at a time.

The Canucks will open their season at home against the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET and can be seen on Sportsnet Pacific.

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