This is how Tom Willander will crack his “roomie”
Updated 15.43 | Published 15.11
GOTHENBURG. The junior crowns against Canada – but also a meeting between Tom Willander and Canada’s super talent Macklin Celebrini.
On weekdays, the two share an apartment in Boston.
– You have to play physically against him, and trash talk works on everyone if it’s good enough, says Willander with a big smile.
Macklin Celebrini was ranked before the JVM tournament as the player with the highest potential to become an NHL star. The only 17-year-old forward is widely tipped to be selected first in this summer’s draft.
The skilful Canadian certainly hasn’t dented his market value in the run-up to the Junior World Championships.
“Feels very safe”
In the first two games, he has scored six points and tops the scoring league.
– I am not the least bit surprised. He is very good and will continue to play well, says Willander.
Celebrini is often judged for his attacking play, but Willander wants to highlight another side:
– When I play with Macklin, I feel very safe. He handles the central role very well, he does the defensive well: is in the right areas, competes for pucks and is physical. That part is not talked about as much.
full screen Macklin Celebrini. Photo: Carl Sandin / Bildbyrån
Celebrini is not slow to praise back:
– Tom is a very calm, skilled keeper. A great skater. He is dangerous, we have to keep an eye on him, says the Canadian, who is looking forward to tonight’s meeting with his teammate:
– Cool! It will be fun to play against him and compete against each other. Tom is a good friend of mine, we live together in the same apartment.
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full screen nextMacklin Celebrini.
1 / 2Photo: Mattias Karlsson.
Applies to lying close to him
Yes, on a daily basis, Celebrini and Willander play and study at prestigious Boston College. Willander is also predicted to have a bright future and was selected in the 2023 draft as number eleven by Vancouver.
But Wilander and Celebrini don’t just play together – they also share an apartment on campus. There are a total of three bedrooms in the apartment. Celebrini shares a room with her big brother Aiden.
– We have had a little contact before the tournament, says Wilander somewhat confidentially.
And how are you going to stop him?
– Don’t give him too much space. For example, he has a very good shot, don’t give him too much time to shoot, because then he will put it. And play physical against him.
Does trash talk work?
– Haha, it does. It works on everyone if it’s good enough.
Both Canada and the Junior crowns are undefeated after two matches and victory in tonight’s match most certainly means group victory.
Drop-off in Scandinavium is at 19.38.
2023-12-29 14:13:03
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