Most often, hockey is kept within the family. After a balmy Wednesday night game in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in early November, I sat with another promising member of the Nylander family: Alex Nylander, a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization this season.
Nylander Family Matters
The Nylanders are absolutely a hockey family. Nylander’s father is former NHL Player, Michael Nylander. His uncles, Peter and Thommy, played overseas for most of their careers. His older brother, William, is a center for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“He is my best friend. We are really really close and we have always been like that since we were younger. We basically talk everyday with each other. It’s awesome.”
Nylander on his relationship with his brother, William
Junior Career
Dobber Prospects describes Nylander as”a very talented player who struggles with consistency that has led to his prolonged development, Nylander has the skillset of a potential top-six NHL winger.”
In Nylander’s junior career, he played for U16 Div. 1, J19 Elit, J18 Allsvenskan, and U16 International for Sweden. Nylander has also participated in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships three times.
During his Junior Career, he played alongside players such as Nathan Bastian and Mason Marchment in the OHL. In the 2015-2016 season, Nylander played for the Mississauga Steelheads. He played in 57 total games and tallied 28 goals with 47 assists.
During the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Nylander was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, Round 1, 8th overall.
“It was awesome. That year was alot of fun with those guys. We still talk to this day. It was an unbeliveable experience in my first year and up there in the OHL. It was one of the funest years i’ve had in juniors and i loved every second of it.”
Nylander speaking on playing in the OHL and with Marchement and Bastian
Working Up the Ladder
When a player has the opportunity to go from the AHL to the NHL, it’s an opportunity to show what they have and showcase it. Getting called up to “The Show”, depends on a variety of factors, including playing time, how the player is performing, and locker room attitude.
Nylander was first called up to the NHL in the 2018-2019 season for the Buffalo Sabres. Nylander speaks on what his “Welcome to the NHL” Moment was:
“I like the pace and how quick everything is. When i was younger and in my first year, and how talented the guys are compared to what i was used to. One of the best moments is playing your first NHL game.”
Nylander speaking on his NHL experience in his first year
Injury Woes
Injuries can kill a player’s confidence really quickly, especially if the injury is long-term. Some teams go through injury bugs, and some teams do escape that pesky bug. Players rehab, use the resources that are given to them by the team, and try to get back to what they used to be at a rate that is safe and keeping their long-term health in mind.
In 2021, Nylander suffered a knee injury that required surgery when he tore his meniscus.
“It was really tough there after my first big injury there. I haven’t had one of those in my life so it was weird and different to come back. It took alot longer than I thought. You have to do the right things everyday. Keep your head up and high. It’s really easy to get down and start thinking the wrong way and be negative. You won’t get anywhere. You have to stay positive. Just trust the process. You know you will come back stronger after injury.
Nylander on his mindset after injuries
Becoming an AHL All-Star:
Nylander was chosen to go to the AHL All-Star Game in 2023 in Laval, Quebec, going in place of an injured Xavier Ouellete. Nylander won Race #4 in the Puck Control Relay.
He gained points in the Pass and Score game along with fellow Eastern Conference teammates Zac Jones and Anthony Richard. He played in the Breakaway Relay as well with Eastern Conference players Anthony Richard, Tyson Foerster, Jack Achan, and Lukas Rousek.
“It was awesome. It was in Laval and the fans are crazy there so it was sold out and a cool experience. They did a great job and it was cool to be with the top guys in the league. Overall great experience”
Nylander on his AHL All Star Classic experience
There Is No “I” in Team:
Team performance is based on team attitude. If the attitude in the locker room is down, it affects the performance on the ice. You have to become one with your team for success during games and throughout the entirety of the season.
“You play better if everybody on the team is getting along with each other. You gotta have your fun but at the same time you have to be serious and be dialed in. Everybody’s serious but at the same time have fun and joke around in the locker room. “
Nylander on team attitude and performance
Learning Lessons:
Lessons are an important aspect of everyone’s life. They help shape you as a person and build character. Lessons also help to make you a better person from learned experiences. Nylander is no exception to this, especially when it comes to him as a player and being on the ice.
“I think I used to think alot and that made me hesitant to my decisions out there. Maybe lose a second or two. If you just go and have a mindeset of just skating and you know when you have the puck your gonna make the right plays instead of thinking and skating. Every time you have the puck just keep moving your feet. Create turnovers and get the puck back. Your skill will take over.”
Nylander speaking on becoming a better player
Nylander is currently on loan to the Pittsburgh Penguins since November 21st,2023. While playing for Wilkes-Barre, this season, through the course of 11 games, he has tallied five goals with three assists.
