This year’s feel-good story for the Toronto Maple Leafs has to be the reunion of Alex and William Nylander. However, getting the duo together in a Leafs uniform wasn’t easy. In fact, getting to his point has been a long, winding journey.
Alex and William are sons of former NHLer Mikael Nylander. The senior Nylander was a very good hockey player. He suited up for nearly 1,000 games, registering 209 goals and 679 points for various clubs throughout the league. Despite his overall solid skills, he was a bit of a journeyman. Mikael had a career-high 83 points with the New York Rangers in 2006-07. He last played in the NHL in the 2008-09 season with the Washington Capitals.
However, Mikael’s NHL legacy lives on in his two sons. William hit the ground running in the NHL, being selected eighth overall by the Leafs in 2014. He hasn’t missed a beat, fast becoming one of the league’s best scoring wingers.
Alex, two years younger than the 28-year-old William, was also an eighth overall pick, selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 draft. However, Alex didn’t have the immediate success William had. In fact, Alex has bounced around a little bit, playing for the Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
As a free agent this past offseason, Alex reportedly turned down NHL contract offers to take a minor league deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs for one reason: A chance to play alongside his older brother.
That dream came true on Sunday night as the two brothers suited up against the Utah Hockey Club. Fittingly enough, William got the game-winner, giving the Leafs a 3-2 win over the Hockey Club.
A reunion 37 years in the making for the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Nylander brother’s reunion is particularly special when considering how long it’s been since the last time two siblings played for the Leafs.
Sure, Alex’s long journey to Toronto is nothing short of exemplary given his dedication and perseverance to the game.
In fact, we have to go back to 1987 to find the last time two brothers played in the same game for the Toronto Maple Leafs. That instance was May 3, 1987 when Peter and Miroslav Ihnacak suited up for the Leafs.
Fast forward to 2024, and William and Alex Nylander played their first game together since the 2016 World Junior Championships in which both brothers represented Sweden.
While there’s no guaranteeing Alex will remain on the Leafs as players return from injury, there’s a case to be made for Alex to stay with the big team. He’s a fast, dynamic forward who, under the right circumstances, could become a dangerous depth forward. Alex might even find his first-round ceiling while playing with his older brother and under Craig Berube’s tutelage.
Even if the Nylander brothers don’t ever play another game together, Sunday night’s contest is one that will live on in Maple Leafs lore for the rest of time.