William Nylander

William Andrew Michael Junior Nylander Altelius (born 1 May 1996) is a Canadian-born Swedish professional ice hockey right winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nylander was selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round, eighth overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

This article is about the Swedish hockey player. For the Finnish botanist, see William Nylander (botanist).

In this article, the surname is Nylander Altelius, not Altelius.
William Nylander
Nylander at the 2016 AHL All-Star Game
Born (1996-05-01) 1 May 1996
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Toronto Maple Leafs
Modo Hockey
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 8th overall, 2014
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 2015–present

Playing career

As a youth, Nylander played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New York Rangers minor ice hockey team.[1]

On 14 February 2013, Nylander made his Allsvenskan debut. Playing alongside his father Michael Nylander with Södertälje SK, he earned an assist in his first professional game on a goal by Robert Carlsson.[2] Nylander closed out his 2013–14 season with a successful 22-game rookie stint in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), where he would play as many as 20 minutes per night.[3] Ranked as a top prospect in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, he was ultimately selected eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.[4][5] Nylander was highly praised for his offensive talent and puck moving abilities; however, criticisms were drawn to his defensive game and then-small stature, measuring 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighing 169 pounds (77 kg; 12 st 1 lb) at the draft combine.[6]

Toronto Maple Leafs

After being drafted eighth overall, on 18 August 2014, the Maple Leafs announced that they had signed Nylander to a three-year, entry-level contract.[7]

Nylander impressed early, scoring a pre-season goal against the Philadelphia Flyers. Later, at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, Nylander finished fifth in tournament scoring, the highest of any player not playing for Canada. Nylander was reassigned to the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, on 12 January 2015 to further his development.[8] Nylander experienced a sensational campaign despite joining the AHL squad mid-season, scoring 32 points in 37 games playing on the right-wing. He was vital in helping the Marlies, who were at the bottom of the standings prior to Nylander joining, reach the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs. Although he left Modo Hockey after 21 games in the 2014–15 SHL season, Nylander was mentioned as a possible candidate for the SHL Rookie of the Year award.[9]

Nylander made his NHL debut on 29 February 2016 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at age 19.[10] He scored his first goal on 5 March 2016 against Andrew Hammond of the Ottawa Senators. His first NHL goal was assisted by Brooks Laich, who also assisted William's father Michael on his last NHL goal.[11]

Nylander during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs

The next season, Nylander made the Maple Leafs roster full-time. He debuted alongside Zach Hyman and Auston Matthews on 12 October 2016 in the season opener against the Ottawa Senators. Nylander quickly found chemistry with his linemates, helping Matthews set an NHL record for most goals scored in a rookie's debut with four by assisting on two of the goals. On 1 November 2016, Nylander was named Rookie of the Month by NHL for the month of October.[12] He had recorded eleven points in nine games, which was good enough for second in league scoring and first among rookie players. After his hot start in October, Nylander struggled in November, scoring only 5 points in 13 games.[13] He had a nine-game goalless stretch between 27 October and 15 November.[14] Nylander recovered, scoring twice in three games, but then went on another scoreless stretch, not hitting the twine between 22 November and 22 December, a span of 13 games.[15] Nylander scored in back-to-back games to end the drought. He scored his first NHL career hat-trick on 4 February 2017 against the Boston Bruins.[16] Nylander's 61 points helped the Leafs qualify for the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, where they were eliminated in six games by the Washington Capitals.[17]

During the 2017–18 season, Nylander was again placed on the top line with Matthews and Hyman.[18] Early in the season, Nylander went on an 11-game scoring drought, which ended in an overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils.[19] By scoring that goal, Nylander became only the second Maple Leaf in franchise history (the first being Miroslav Fryčer) to score the only goal of a regular-season game in overtime.[19] He ended the regular season recording 61 points, the same as his rookie season. The Maple Leafs once again qualified for the playoffs, where they were eliminated in seven games of the first round by the Boston Bruins.[20] He recorded one goal and three assists during those seven games.

Nylander became a restricted free agent during the off-season. He went unsigned throughout the summer, seeking a long-term extension as opposed to a "bridge deal".[21] Nylander did not attend the team's training camp.[22] The Maple Leafs began the season without Nylander, as the two sides could not come to an agreement beforehand. As a restricted free agent, Nylander needed to sign before 1 December to be eligible to play during the 2018–19 season.[23] While away from the team, Nylander skated in Sweden and Austria. It was reported that he was losing $30,000 in pay each day he remained unsigned. [24][25] It was later reported on 10 November that the Maple Leafs were fielding offers for Nylander, just weeks before the 1 December deadline.[26] Just minutes before the deadline, Nylander agreed to a six-year, $41.77 million contract.[27] Nylander was a healthy scratch for his first game back with the team, but made his season debut on 6 December against the Detroit Red Wings.[28] After his return, Nylander finished 5th in the annual NHLPA player poll for best hair in the league.[29] He would struggle for the remainder of that season, scoring 27 points in 54 games.[30]

Nylander's play markedly improved the following season, especially following the Leafs' decision to replace Mike Babcock as head coach with Sheldon Keefe. At the time the NHL was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nylander had already set a career high with 31 goals in 68 games, to go along with 28 assists.[31]

International play
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
2017 Germany/France

Despite being born in Canada, on 12 November 2012, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) ruled that Nylander was eligible to represent Sweden in international play.[32] He went on to compete with Sweden at the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he scored a tournament-high eight assists,[33] leading his team to a gold medal win. In the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships, Nylander was the standout player of the tournament, winning the scoring race with 16 points in 7 games.

Nylander made his senior team debut at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where team Sweden won gold. He led his team in scoring with 14 points in 10 games and was named tournament MVP.[34]

Personal life

William was born in Calgary while his father, Michael, was playing for the Calgary Flames. He spent the majority of his youth in the United States where his father played for several NHL teams, spending the summers in Sweden.[35][36] His family later moved to Sweden when he was 14.

Nylander's younger brother Alex, who was selected eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, plays with the Chicago Blackhawks.[37]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Chicago Mission U16 MWEHL 29 34 27 61 8 — — — — —
2011–12 SDE HF J18 18 12 14 26 14 — — — — —
2011–12 Södertälje SK J18 Allsv 9 7 5 12 2 — — — — —
2011–12 Södertälje SK J20 8 1 3 4 2 4 0 5 5 2
2012–13 Södertälje SK J18 1 2 1 3 2 — — — — —
2012–13 Södertälje SK J20 27 15 28 43 14 5 3 5 8 2
2012–13 Södertälje SK Allsv 8 4 2 6 2 10 2 1 3 4
2013–14 Rögle BK Allsv 18 4 4 8 10 — — — — —
2013–14 Södertälje SK Allsv 17 11 8 19 6 — — — — —
2013–14 Modo Hockey J20 3 0 3 3 4 5 3 5 8 2
2013–14 Modo Hockey SHL 22 1 6 7 6 2 0 0 0 0
2013–14 Modo Hockey J18 Allsv — — — — — 4 3 4 7 4
2014–15 Modo Hockey SHL 21 8 12 20 6 — — — — —
2014–15 Toronto Marlies AHL 37 14 18 32 4 5 0 3 3 0
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 38 18 27 45 10 14 7 4 11 2
2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 22 6 7 13 4 — — — — —
2016–17 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 81 22 39 61 32 6 1 3 4 2
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 20 41 61 10 7 1 3 4 0
2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 54 7 20 27 16 7 1 2 3 2
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 68 31 28 59 12 5 2 2 4 0
NHL totals 307 86 135 221 74 25 5 10 15 4

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Sweden WHC17 6 2 8 10 2
2013 Sweden WJC18 5th 5 2 1 3 2
2013 Sweden IH18 7th 4 4 2 6 4
2014 Sweden WJC18 4th 7 6 10 16 0
2015 Sweden WJC 4th 7 3 7 10 0
2016 Sweden WJC 4th 1 1 0 1 0
2017 Sweden WC 10 7 7 14 2
2019 Sweden WC 5th 8 5 13 18 0
Junior totals 30 18 28 46 8
Senior totals 18 12 20 32 2

Awards and honours
Awards Year
J20 SuperElit most points by U-18 junior (43) 2012–13 [38]
World U-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal with Team Sweden 2013 [39]
AHL All-Star Classic 2016 [40]
Rookie of the Month October 2016 March 2017 [12]
IIHF World Championship MVP 2017 [41]
IIHF World Championship leading scorer (points) 2019 [42]
IIHF World Championship media All-Star team 2019 [42]

References
  1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  2. "Former NHLer Michael Nylander and son William team up in Sweden". Sports Illustrated. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  3. "FIs Mitch Marner or William Nylander the Leafs' best prospect?". Pension Plan Puppets. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  4. "Maple Leafs Select William Nylander". Toronto Maple Leafs. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  5. "Kasperi Kapanen, William Nylander headline 2014 NHL Central Scouting European rankings". National Hockey League. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  6. "Nylander, William". National Hockey League. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  7. Canadian, Press (18 August 2014). "Leafs sign eighth overall pick William Nylander to entry-level contract". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  8. Arthur, Bruce (12 January 2015). "Maple Leafs give William Nylander room to grow: Arthur". Toronto Star. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  9. "Djupdyk i statistiken för kandidaterna till Årets Rookie". Swedish Hockey League. 4 March 2015.
  10. Brophy, Mike (29 February 2016). "Johnson leads Lightning to seventh straight win". NHL.com. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  11. "Nylander gets first NHL goal for Maple Leafs". NHL.com. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  12. "William Nylander named NHL's top rookie in October". NHL.com. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  13. "William Nylander Stats and News".
  14. "William Nylander Stats and News".
  15. Johnston, Chris (16 November 2017). "Relief finally comes as Nylander ends scoring drought". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 27 April 2018. Nylander finished his rookie season with 22 goals despite enduring stretches of nine and 13 games without one before December.
  16. "Nylander's hat trick helps Maple Leafs outlast Bruins". TSN. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  17. Siegel, Jonas (24 April 2018). "Capitals end Leafs' playoff run in Game 6". cbc.ca. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  18. Loung, Steven (6 February 2018). "Nylander on Leafs' top line: 'We complement each other really well'". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  19. Shilton, Kristen (17 November 2017). "Nylander scores in OT, Andersen posts SO as Leafs win 5th straight". TSN. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  20. "Bruins eliminate Leafs in Game 7 shocker". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  21. Matisz, John. ""Of course I want long term, that's what I want to do." - Leafs RFA William Nylander on next contract". Twitter. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  22. McGran, Kevin (13 September 2018). "Nylander stays away as Maple Leafs open camp". Toronto Star. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  23. McGran, Kevin (3 October 2018). "Puck about to drop on Leafs season .... still no Nylander". Toronto Star. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  24. Johnston, Chris. "Nylander on Maple Leafs negotiations: 'I have to take care of myself'". Sportsnet. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  25. Johnston, Chris. "William Nylander practising this". Sportsnet. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  26. Johnston, Mike. "Maple Leafs beginning to test trade market for William Nylander". Sportsnet. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  27. Shilton, Kristen (1 December 2018). "Leafs sign Nylander to six-year, $41.4M deal". TSN. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  28. McCarthy, Dave (6 December 2018). "Nylander will make season debut for Maple Leafs against Red Wings". NHL.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  29. "NHLPA Player Poll 2018-2019". NHLPA. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  30. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/n/nylanwi01.html
  31. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/n/nylanwi01.html
  32. "OK to play for Sweden". International Ice Hockey Federation. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  33. "U17 WHC Most Assists". Elite Prospects.com. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  34. "William Nylander wins MVP after leading Sweden to gold at World Championship". Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  35. "Steelheads select Nylander and Haudum in 2014 CHL Import Draft".
  36. "Canadian-born Nylander honing his craft over in Sweden". Hockey's Future. 28 August 2013.
  37. Twardziak, Kelly (4 October 2019). "Alex Nylander scores first goal of the regular season for Blackhawks in Prague". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  38. "J20 SuperElit (Overall) Most Points by U18 Junior". Elite Prospects.com. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  39. "Lindblom's Hat Trick leads Sweden to Gold medal game". The World Of Junior Hockey. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  40. "Playing Rosters Announced for 2016 Toyota American Hockey League All-Star Classic". Toronto Marlies. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  41. "Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander Wins MVP @Worlds". Editor in Leaf. 22 May 2017.
  42. "Stone named MVP". Andy Potts. 26 May 2019.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Frédérik Gauthier		 Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick
2014		 Succeeded by
Mitch Marner
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