Michael Nylander

Michael Nylander
Michael Nylander in January 2009
Born	(1972-10-03) 3 October 1972 (age 50) Stockholm, Sweden
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	AIK IF Hartford Whalers Calgary Flames JYP Jyväskylä HC Lugano Tampa Bay Lightning Chicago Blackhawks Washington Capitals Boston Bruins Oulun Kärpät SKA Saint Petersburg Ak Bars Kazan New York Rangers Jokerit ZSC Lions EHC Kloten HC Bolzano
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	59th overall, 1991 Hartford Whalers
Playing career	1988–2015

Michael Gunnar Nylander (born 3 October 1972) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey centre and former assistant coach with the Mississauga Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League. He competed for the Swedish national team in the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics. ^[1]

Playing career

Nylander was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the third round (59th overall) in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. In the NHL, he has played for the Hartford Whalers (1992–1994), Calgary Flames (1994–98), Tampa Bay Lightning (1999), Chicago Blackhawks (1999–2002), Washington Capitals (2002–03), and Boston Bruins (2004), New York Rangers (2005–07), and Washington Capitals (2007–09).

Nylander scored his first career NHL goal on 27 November 1992 in his 16th game at the famed Boston Garden in a 5-4 Whalers loss. Rejean Lemelin was the Bruins goaltender. ^[2] The following season, although he was third in scoring for the Whalers at that time, he was sent down to their AHL affiliate Springfield Indians due to repeated defensive lapses. He was recalled after four games in Springfield, but that stint makes Nylander one of the two final players who ever played for the storied Indians to be active in professional hockey.

Michael Nylander with the New York Rangers (second row, far right) faces off against the Philadelphia Flyers on 4 January 2007

Nylander was signed by the New York Rangers for the 2005–06 season and played well with All-Star right-winger Jaromír Jágr. He centred the first line and first power play unit. Statistically, Nylander had his best season as he helped the Rangers reach 100 points for the first time since 1994.

Following their 4–3 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins on 8 April 2006, Nylander was interviewed by NBC's Pierre McGuire. He slipped the word "shit" on live television, when speaking about his relationship with Pierre McGuire back in Hartford. Bill Clement mentioned there was no 5-second delay, however Clement and the rest of the NBC crew did issue an immediate apology. Nylander scored the game-winning goal in overtime. The National Hockey League and the Federal Communications Commission never made a decision on this situation.

Prior to the 2007–08, as reported on the Edmonton Oilers website, Nylander's agent had agreed to a contract with the Oilers. While expecting to receive a signed contract, the Oilers instead found out that he had signed with the Washington Capitals. ^[3]

Nylander tore his rotator cuff during a faceoff against the Florida Panthers on 1 December 2007 and missed the next four games before returning to play the next thirteen games. Eventually, Nylander was forced to have surgery to repair the tear on 16 January 2008, and missed the rest of the 2007–08 regular season and playoffs. ^[4]

In the 2008–09 season, still feeling the effects of his torn rotator cuff, Nylander managed to collect only 33 points in 72 games. Many fans and hockey pundits criticized Nylander's performance and felt he didn't live up to his contract.

The following season the Washington Capitals faced salary cap restraints. Looking for move salary, they attempted to trade Michael Nylander, but found no suitors for his near $5,000,000 salary. The Washington Capitals first loaned Nylander to the Detroit Red Wings organization (who then assigned him to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League) and then later loaned Nylander to Jokerit of SM-liiga where he finished the 2009-10 hockey season. For the 2010–11 season, Nylander played in the Florida Panthers organization's AHL affiliate in Rochester as they filled a hole at center. His NHL rights remained owned by the Capitals through the end of the season.

On 23 October 2010, Nylander was seriously injured when he was hit from behind by Brendan Smith during the second period of a game between Rochester and the Grand Rapids Griffins. ^[5] He underwent successful spinal fusion surgery on 26 October 2010 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY and doctors have said that he should be cleared to play again after six months of recovery. ^{[6] [7]}

On 17 August 2011, Nylander signed a tryout contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, joining the team's training camp. He was released on 25 September 2011. ^[8]

Nylander then went on to play for the ZSC Lions in the National League A where he was under contract from October 2011 to December 2011. His contract was not renewed and in January 2012 he signed with the Kloten Flyers. He officially retired from professional hockey in 2015 and is currently an assistant coach with the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League. ^[9]

International play

Medal record
Representing   Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
	1992 Czechoslovakia
	2006 Latvia
	1993 Germany
	1997 Finland
	2004 Czech Republic
	1999 Norway
	2002 Sweden
	2010 Germany
World Junior Championships
	1992 Germany
European Junior Championship
	1990 Sweden

Nylander has represented Sweden a record 13 times, including the World Cup and the Winter Olympics. Having played for the national squad for nearly twenty years since the 1991 World Juniors until the 2010 World Championship, winning nine medals in the process.

Personal life

Nylander is married to wife Camilla (née Altelius). He has six children: Michelle (born 1994), William (born 1996), Alexander (born 1998), Jacqueline (born 2000), Stephanie (born 2003), and Daniella (born 2006). William was drafted in 2014 by the Toronto Maple Leafs as the 8th overall pick, while Alexander was also drafted 8th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Alexander plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Daughter Jacqueline is an aspiring professional tennis player, competing in the WTA circuit ^{[10] [11]} as well as collegiately at Southern Methodist University. ^[12]

Michael has two brothers, Peter ^[13] and Thommy. ^[14]

Transactions

• 10 March 1994 – Traded by the Hartford Whalers along with James Patrick and Zarley Zalapski to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Gary Suter, Paul Ranheim and Ted Drury.
• 19 January 1999 – Traded by the Calgary Flames to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Andrei Nazarov.
• 12 November 1999 – Traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Bryan Muir and Reid Simpson.
• 1 November 2002 – Traded by the Chicago Blackhawks, along with Chicago's 2003 3rd-round draft pick and future considerations, to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Chris Simon and Andrei Nikolishin.
• 4 March 2004 – Traded by the Washington Capitals to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Boston's 2005 4th-round compensatory draft pick and Boston's 2006 2nd-round draft pick.
• 10 August 2004 – Signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers.
• 2 July 2007 – Signed as a free agent with the Washington Capitals.
• 21 October 2009 – Agrees to a two-week conditioning reassignment with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League ^[15]
• 7 November 2009 – Placed on Waivers by the Washington Capitals.
• 13 December 2009 – Assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). The Washington Capitals will continue to pay his salary, but his $4.875 million salary will not count towards the Capitals' salary cap.
• 28 January 2010 – Reassigned from Grand Rapids (AHL) to Jokerit (SM-liiga).
• 29 September 2010 – Loaned to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.
• August 2011 – Signed professional tryout contract with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1987–88	RA 73	SWE-2		3	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Huddinge IK	SWE U20		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Huddinge IK	SWE-2		31	7	15	22	4		5	3	0	3	0
1990–91	Huddinge IK	SWE-2		33	14	20	34	10		2	0	0	0	0
1991–92	AIK	SEL		40	11	17	28	30		3	1	4	5	4
1992–93	Hartford Whalers	NHL		59	11	22	33	36		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Springfield Indians	AHL		—	—	—	—	—		3	3	3	6	2
1993–94	Hartford Whalers	NHL		58	11	33	44	24		—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Springfield Indians	AHL		4	0	9	9	0		—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Calgary Flames	NHL		15	2	9	11	6		3	0	0	0	0
1994–95	JYP	SM-l		16	11	19	30	63		—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Calgary Flames	NHL		6	0	1	1	2		6	0	6	6	2
1995–96	Calgary Flames	NHL		73	13	38	51	20		4	0	0	0	0
1996–97	HC Lugano	NDA		36	12	43	55	28		8	3	8	11	8
1997–98	Calgary Flames	NHL		65	13	23	36	24		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Calgary Flames	NHL		9	2	3	5	2		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		24	2	7	9	6		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		11	1	2	3	4		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		66	23	28	51	26		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		82	25	39	64	32		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		82	15	46	61	50		5	0	3	3	2
2002–03	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		9	0	4	4	4		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Washington Capitals	NHL		71	17	39	56	36		6	3	2	5	8
2003–04	Washington Capitals	NHL		3	0	2	2	8		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Boston Bruins	NHL		15	1	11	12	14		6	3	3	6	0
2004–05	Kärpät	SM-l		23	5	15	20	22		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	SKA Saint Petersburg	RSL		8	2	5	7	0		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Ak Bars Kazan	RSL		5	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	New York Rangers	NHL		81	23	56	79	76		4	0	1	1	0
2006–07	New York Rangers	NHL		79	26	57	83	42		10	6	7	13	0
2007–08	Washington Capitals	NHL		40	11	26	37	24		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Washington Capitals	NHL		72	9	24	33	32		3	0	0	0	2
2009–10	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		24	2	16	18	14		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Jokerit	SM-l		14	3	4	7	58		3	2	1	3	0
2010–11	Rochester Americans	AHL		7	4	2	6	8		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	ZSC Lions	NLA		15	5	5	10	8		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Kloten Flyers	NLA		8	0	5	5	4		2	0	1	1	2
2012–13	HC Vita Hästen	SWE-3		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	HC Bolzano	ITA		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Södertälje SK	SWE-2		18	5	14	19	4		10	3	4	7	20
2013–14	Rögle BK	SWE-2		25	3	6	9	22		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	HC Vita Hästen	SWE-3		1	1	1	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	AIK	SHL		8	0	1	1	4		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	AIK	SWE-2		11	1	1	2	8		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				920	209	470	679	468		47	12	22	34	14

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1990	Sweden	EJC		6	2	4	6	0
1991	Sweden	WJC		7	6	5	11	8
1992	Sweden	WJC		7	8	9	17	6
1992	Sweden	WC		8	0	1	1	0
1993	Sweden	WC		7	1	7	8	4
1996	Sweden	WCH		4	2	1	3	0
1996	Sweden	WC		3	2	3	5	0
1997	Sweden	WC		11	6	5	11	6
1998	Sweden	OG		4	0	0	0	6
1999	Sweden	WC		10	2	4	6	8
2000	Sweden	WC		7	1	5	6	6
2002	Sweden	OG		4	1	2	3	0
2002	Sweden	WC		8	1	6	7	0
2004	Sweden	WC		7	2	4	6	8
2006	Sweden	WC		6	1	8	9	4
2010	Sweden	WC		8	1	2	3	4
Junior totals				20	16	18	34	14
Senior totals				87	20	48	68	46

Awards

• Silver medal World Junior Championship in 1992.
• World Junior Championship's Best Forward in 1992.
• Named to the World Junior Championship All-Star Team in 1992.
• Elitserien Rookie of the Year in 1992.
• Gold medal World Championship in 1992 and 2006.
• Silver medal World Championship in 1993 and 1997.
• Named to the World Championship All-Star Team in 1997.
• World Championship's Best Forward in 1997.
• Bronze medal World Championship in 1999, 2002 and 2010.

Records

• 1993 World Championship record of most assists

References

1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Michael Nylander Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
2. "Hartford Whalers at Boston Bruins Box Score — November 27, 1992". hockey-reference.com.
3. "Oilers cry foul over Nylander signing". CBC Sports . 3 January 2007.
4. El-Bashir, Tarik (16 January 2008). "Shoulder to Sideline Nylander 3-6 Months". The Washington Post . Retrieved 27 April 2008.
5. Wyshynski, Greg (25 October 2010). "Nylander breaks neck in AHL; coach wonders if his career is done". Yahoo Sports . Archived from the original on 27 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
6. Oklobzija, Kevin (26 October 2010). "Rochester Amerks' Michael Nylander has successful surgery". Democrat and Chronicle . Retrieved 26 October 2010.
7. Oklobzija, Kevin (25 October 2010). "Rochester Amerks' Michael Nylander out for season". Democrat and Chronicle . Retrieved 25 October 2010.
8. Burnside, Scott (17 August 2011). "Flyers invite Michael Nylander to camp". ESPN . Retrieved 17 August 2011.
9. Mahiban, Dhiren (9 April 2016). "A Hockey Bond for Father, Sons and Honorary Cousin". The New York Times . Retrieved 15 August 2020.
10. Zeisberger, Mike (24 December 2016). "'He's always there for us': Sports a family affair for Michael Nylander and his hockey- and tennis-playing children". National Post . Retrieved 15 August 2020.
11. "Jacquline Nylander Altelius". Women's Tennis Association . Retrieved 15 August 2020.
12. "2020-21 Women's Tennis Roster: Jackie Nylander". Southern Methodist University . Retrieved 15 August 2020.
13. "Peter Nylander - Elite Prospects".
14. "Thommy Nylander - Elite Prospects".
15. "MICHAEL NYLANDER JOINS G.R. FOR CONDITIONING". Grand Rapids Griffins. 21 October 2009. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2009.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database
• Nylander a Swede Sensation in NY (nhlpa.com)