William and Alex Nylander fulfilled their lifelong dream when they got into an NHL game for the first time as teammates for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The fifth set of brothers in franchise history to play in a game together, both had their fair share of chances as linemates at even-strength and on the power play during Sunday’s 3-2 win against the Utah Hockey Club. And while they didn’t combine on a goal, they did get to celebrate together on William’s second period marker while their dad, Michael, watched in the stands.
It was no doubt a whirlwind of emotions for the Nylander family and it is a moment the two brothers will never forget.
“The entire day was special,” William said to reporters after the game. “Seeing him out there at first felt pretty crazy and then it all settled in and it felt more normal. So that was very special. And of course, we got the win, which was nice.”
While both brothers undoubtedly wished for more shifts together, they were grateful to get the opportunity to share the ice given all that Alex had been through to get to this point. The younger Nylander has not quite reached the same heights as William, battling injuries, demotions, and trades in the eight years since being selected eighth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.
Alex started the season on an AHL deal despite a strong end to the regular season in 2023-24. It may have taken numerous injuries and a suspension for Ryan Reaves, but Nylander was able to secure an NHL deal on Friday and the chance to make a difference for the Maple Leafs. It may have been easy to let the nerves take over in a big moment of his life such as that but he took the advice from his dad by staying true to himself.
“Actually, it felt pretty good out there,” Alex Nylander said. “I thought it was going to be a little bit more, but since I played a lot of games last year there in Columbus, it helped playing this level. Just felt good out there throughout the warm-ups and stuff. Obviously, I had a little bit of nerves, but not too bad.”
The rest of the Leafs shared in the excitement of the two Nylanders playing together as NHL teammates for the first time. It was apparent from Saturday’s practice when head coach Craig Berube noted that William had an extra chip in his step by seemingly scoring a lot of goals during the on-ice reps. The brothers also got to share a moment with the Leafs social team on the way to said practice and a photo to boot.
Today’s someday 💙 https://t.co/Q1g4bgyztu pic.twitter.com/gP6ZQ4Dn2c
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 24, 2024
“I mean for sure for the whole family, it’s a special moment,” Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner said post-game about what the moment meant for the Nylander brothers. “The two of them playing in the NHL together. A couple shifts together as well, so something definitely very cool and something I’m sure they’ll remember for a long time.”
William was the more productive of the two brothers, notching a goal and an assist with five shots on goal and led all forwards in ice time with 22:16. Alex may have gone scoreless in far fewer minutes at 10:37, but he made the most of it with two shots on goal and set up a few good lucks at 5-on-5 and the power play.
It is the kind of performance that will entrust the coaching staff to give the younger Nylander a longer look even as the Leafs begin to get more healthy. After all, he would need to pass through waivers if the team wants to reassign him to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and it would be unlikely that he goes unclaimed.
“I thought he was solid. Created some really good opportunities,” forward John Tavares said regarding Alex. “You can see the type of poise and skill that he has. He’s obviously been around a little bit, so [he] understands the league and the game and not trying to do too much and knows when the opportunities are there. So, thought he played really well.”
Of course, generating quality scoring chances alone won’t be enough to keep Alex in the lineup because the Leafs demand their players to perform well at both ends of the ice. He understands that fact as one of the reasons he chose to start his tenure in the organization with the Marlies is for the opportunity to work with Toronto’s development staff with a focus on his two-way game.
Alex’s hard work was evident in his 14 AHL games before his callup, as he was tied with Alex Steeves as the Marlies’ scoring leader with 12 points (eight goals and four assists) during that span. It was also obvious in the limited ice time he was given during Sunday’s win where he got used in various situations by the coaching staff.
“I think it’s great for sure,” Berube said of the night for the Nylander brothers. “You know, anytime you can play with your brother and play some shifts with your brother and be on the ice with him, that’s a special thing. Very happy with both of them and their dad, who was a player in the league for a long time.”
Now that the emotions of the night have dissipated, what remains is the long journey ahead for Alex to ensure his time as teammate with William lasts for more than a moment. Toronto will soon get healthy with some of the regulars closing in on their returns to the lineup as Auston Matthews is a possibility for Wednesday, while Matthew Knies could be back as early as Saturday.
Alex Nylander knows that it will be maintaining a strong 200-foot game consistently if wants to be pencilled into Berube’s lineup card when the Leafs are fully healthy.
“I’m just going to work hard every shift,” he said. “You have to be on the forecheck, win battles. And when I do that the rest of my game comes. I’m going to try to use my shot as much as possible, create plays, and be good defensively.”
