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NEW YORK. The Nylander family’s dream came true last night.
With father Michael as a witness in the stands, William and Alex finally got to play together in Toronto – and experience a 3-2 victory against Utah, after another grandiose goal by big brother.
– It was very special, we have both been pumped up all day, the brothers say in a joint TV interview after the long-awaited fight.
Ever since Alex Nylander, after seven years on a roll between different NHL clubs, signed a contract in Toronto this summer, the whole family has been waiting to get him and his older brother on the ice together.
It was true that he signed for the farm team Toronto Marlies, and then played with them all autumn, but the hope of a chance on the big stage was there from the beginning – and tonight the dream came true.
Both William, 28, and Alex, 26, were on the ice in the Leafs’ home game against Utah and they got several changes together, mainly in the power play.
– It feels very special, the brothers say with broad smiles in a TV interview right after the final whistle
– We have been pumped up and excited all day. The first period actually felt completely crazy. But then we got into it so it felt more normal.
Big brother was once again dominant and scored, among other things, another dream goal in the middle of the second period; sucked the puck right after a draw in his own zone, flew across the ice, broke free and angled the puck between the legs of Utah keeper Karel Vejmelka.
It was “Lill-Nyllet’s” fourteenth goal of the season and thus he is tied for fourth in the scoring league, just two goals behind Leon Draisaitl and Sam Reinhart.
– I was on the ice and had a perfect view when he scored that goal and put the puck in like that. It was fantastic, smiles Alex.
Who is generally impressed with big brother after being able to follow him up close before and during an important NHL game.
– Yes, it was really fun to see how he prepares. He honestly became completely different, hehe.
Lillebror had a golden opportunity to score a power play goal as well, but the puck didn’t bounce like it should have in that sequence.
– It would have been incredible if it had gone in, I really wanted it. But we got to win together, it feels very good. Hope he can stay up here now, says William.
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full screen Here the Nylander brothers can celebrate together. Photo: Chris Tanouye/AFP
Judging by coach Craig Berube’s comments, the chances are good.
– It was great to see them together. Getting to play an NHL game with his brother, and even make some trades together, is very special. We are happy for both the boys and their father.
Dad, yes. Michael – who, according to the sons, became very emotional when he learned that they were going to play together and immediately threw himself on a plane and flew over from Sweden – sat in the stands and cheered for the offspring.
A total of thirteen Swedish brothers have played in the NHL and WHA, but only seven have done it together in the same club: Christer and Tommy Abrahamsson (New England Whalers), Patrik and Peter Sundström (New Jersey Devils), Mikael and Niklas Andersson (NY Islanders) , Jörgen and Kenny Jönsson (NY Islanders), Daniel and Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks), Adam and Jesper Boqvist (Florida Panthers) and then Alex and William Nylander in Toronto last night.
The Nylander Brothers’ Dream Comes True
Ah, gather ’round, ladies and gentlemen, because it looks like the Nylander family just hit a hockey jackpot! Last night, in the city that never sleeps—or rather, dreams of Stanley Cups—young William and his big brother Alex finally shared the ice in the NHL! It’s a lovely tale of brotherly love and serious competitive spirit. A combination so classic, it’s practically the Netflix of sports stories.
With the proud father Michael in the stands—probably shouting something like “Skate and score, lads!”—the brothers were treated to a 3-2 win against Utah. And can we just take a moment to appreciate that? We’ve got sibling bonding, a dad who’s probably emotional enough to write an Oscar-worthy screenplay, and a game that’s almost a Hallmark movie in the making.
Now, let’s not forget, Alex signed with the Toronto Marlies over the summer, playing hockey like a child who’s just discovered chocolate. After bouncing around some NHL teams for seven years—like a lost puck on a power play—his contract finally took him back to the ice with his sibling. Can you imagine the anticipation? It’s like waiting for the long-lost sequel to your favorite 80s blockbuster. Cue the dreams of golden goals!
William, at 28, and the younger Alex, 26, took to the ice in Toronto like they were led by the ghost of Wayne Gretzky as they stole several shifts together. The brothers beamed with pride in a post-game interview, revealing that they were “pumped up and excited” all day. Is it just me, or does that sound like the lead-up to an epic family road trip?
Speaking of epic moments, big brother William delivered a goal that would make his parents weep with pride. After a face-off, he zipped down the ice, cutting through defenders like they were butter on a hot day, and snuck the puck through the legs of the Utah goalie, Karel Vejmelka. If that isn’t sibling competition at its finest, I don’t know what is! Sorry, Alex, but it seems you’ve got some catching up to do! William racked up his 14th goal of the season, placing him handily in the scoring race, just two goals shy of those colossal giants, Leon Draisaitl and Sam Reinhart.
Can we take a moment to appreciate Alex’s perspective? He watched his brother score that goal, and honestly, who wouldn’t be impressed? It’s like watching your older sibling nail the perfect double backflip off the diving board while you’re still struggling with a cannonball. But fear not, Alex had his chance too, almost sinking a power play goal with a shot that, let’s be honest, was a bit rebound-shy—sounds like me trying to flirt on a date!
Despite not finding the net himself, Alex concluded, “But we got to win together, it feels very good.” And isn’t that just the sweetest cherry on top of their hockey sundae? A win together is always better, especially when brimming with family pride. Plus, they’ve got Coach Craig Berube behind them, who gushed over their shared playtime and the sheer joy of it all. Sounds like he’s either a great motivator or just really ready to start a brother-bonding reality show!
And let’s not forget dear old dad, Michael, who flew in from Sweden faster than you can say “power play.” Emotions were high—probably higher than Alex’s stick during practice—when he learned his boys would be sharing the ice. We’ve all seen that dad at a little league game, but this takes it to a whole new level of heartwarming.
In a league where only thirteen sets of Swedish brothers have skated onto the same NHL team before, these two are adding their names to that prestigious list. The Nylander’s journey is a reminder that in the world of sports, it’s not just about the glory or the accolades; sometimes, it’s about the beautiful chaos of family backing you up on your biggest nights.
So here’s to all the Nylanders out there! May their playoff dreams be endless, their connection ever-stronger, and their storytelling gold. And for the rest of us? Well, we’ll keep watching from the couch, a bag of chips in hand, cheering for the love of the game. Cheers!
NEW YORK. The Nylander family’s dream became a reality last night as the brothers hit the ice together for the first time in the NHL.
With their proud father, Michael, watching from the stands, William and Alex shared the ice in Toronto, celebrating a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Utah team, highlighted by another spectacular goal from big brother William.
Ever since Alex Nylander made his much-anticipated move to Toronto by signing this summer after a whirlwind seven-year journey through various NHL teams, the Nylander family has eagerly awaited this moment where both siblings could finally compete alongside each other.
Although Alex initially joined the farm team, Toronto Marlies, and spent the fall honing his skills there, the hopes of breaking into the NHL were always on the horizon, culminating in this sensational night where their long-held dream materialized.
Both William, at 28, and Alex, 26, stepped onto the ice for the Maple Leafs’ home game against Utah, actively participating together, especially during power play opportunities, which had the crowd buzzing with excitement.
– It feels incredibly special, the brothers expressed with wide smiles during a post-game TV interview, reflecting on the surreal experience.
– We have been pumped up and excited all day. The first period honestly felt completely crazy. But after we settled in, it became much more familiar.
Once again, big brother showcased his scoring prowess, netting a remarkable goal during the second period; he snatched the puck right after a draw in the defensive zone, dashed across the ice, broke free of defenders, and deftly slipped the puck between the legs of Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka.
This impressive feat marked “Lill-Nyllet’s” fourteenth goal of the season, positioning him just two goals shy of top scorers Leon Draisaitl and Sam Reinhart in the league standings.
– I was right there on the ice and had the perfect view of him scoring that goal with such finesse. It was fantastic, Alex beamed, clearly impressed by his brother’s performance.
Alex, who had the rare opportunity to observe William closely before and during the high-stakes NHL game, shared his admiration for his brother’s preparation and focus, saying, – Yes, it was incredibly fun to see how he gets ready. He honestly became completely different, haha.
Even though Alex had a golden opportunity to notch a power-play goal himself, fortune wasn’t on his side as the puck didn’t bounce his way during that crucial moment.
– It would have been incredible if I could have scored. I really wanted it to go in, but sharing this win with William feels amazing. I hope he can stay here now, remarked William, reflecting on the emotional victory.
According to coach Craig Berube’s encouraging remarks, the brothers have a promising future ahead, stating, – It was wonderful to see them on the ice together. To play an NHL game alongside your brother and make plays together is truly extraordinary. We are thrilled for both of them and their father.
Michael, their father, who became visibly emotional upon learning that they would share the ice, wasted no time in boarding a plane from Sweden to witness this extraordinary moment, cheering proudly from the stands.
Historically, a total of thirteen sets of Swedish brothers have graced the NHL and WHA, but only seven have managed to play together on the same team: Christer and Tommy Abrahamsson (New England Whalers), Patrik and Peter Sundström (New Jersey Devils), Mikael and Niklas Andersson (NY Islanders), Jörgen and Kenny Jönsson (NY Islanders), Daniel and Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks), Adam and Jesper Boqvist (Florida Panthers), and now Alex and William Nylander with the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.
What emotional moments did the Nylander family experience during the historic game when both brothers played together?
Ame, appreciated the moment fully, even as he himself was chasing his own scoring opportunities on the ice.
Despite coming close to following in his brother’s scoring footsteps with a near-power play goal that missed its mark, Alex maintained a positive outlook on the experience. “We got to win together, it feels very good,” he remarked, embodying the essence of family pride and sportsmanship that transcends individual achievements.
Coach Craig Berube’s post-game comments echoed this sentiment, highlighting the special nature of sibling bonds in sports. He expressed delight in witnessing the brothers play together at the NHL level and acknowledged the unique familial connection that made the victory even sweeter. “Getting to play an NHL game with his brother, and even make some plays together, is very special,” he emphasized, reinforcing the idea that this game was about more than just the score—it was about legacy, joy, and familial support.
The emotional weight of the moment was not lost on their father, Michael, who had traveled all the way from Sweden to witness this historic occasion. Michael’s reaction, filled with pride and tears of joy, was a testament to the dedication and hard work that both brothers had poured into their hockey careers. The elation was palpable as he cheered for his sons, a visual reminder of the sacrifices made and the dreams pursued.
This game was significant not just for the Nylander brothers but also for the history of the NHL. They joined a select group of just seven pairs of Swedish siblings who’ve played on the same team in the league, including hockey legends like the Sedins. This achievement added another layer to their already remarkable journey.
As the final whistle blew to declare the Maple Leafs 3-2 victors, it was clear that this was more than just a game to the Nylander family. It was a heartfelt chapter in their story, a celebration of brotherhood, skill, and the unwavering support of family that often goes unseen in the vibrant spotlight of professional sports.
So, as we raise our glasses to the Nylander brothers, let’s hope for more goals, more wins, and even more moments where families share the ice—because, at the end of the day, this is what sports are all about. Here’s to family, dreams made real, and the love of the game!
