Home Football NHL star Nylander’s grandmother can finally watch him play live with the Leafs in their home country of Sweden

NHL star Nylander’s grandmother can finally watch him play live with the Leafs in their home country of Sweden

Football — 11/21/2023

With 22 points in 15 games, William Nylander, a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, leads the team in scoring and has scored in each of the team’s first five games this season.

Although Nylander’s rapid start to the season has set a franchise record for the longest point streak in the first game of the season, he may be more thrilled about the opportunity to play at home.

Nylander's grandma can finally see him play live with Leafs in Sweden

The Leafs will play the Minnesota Wild on Sunday and the Detroit Red Wings on Friday at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena this week.

And even though Nylander performs in front of a packed Scotiabank Arena 41 times a year in Toronto, this weekend is particularly meaningful. He’ll possess the chance to play for the NHL for the first time since making his Leafs debut in February 2016 in front of his Swedish grandmother.

Nylander told the media today, “It will be special.”

luke fox on X: "William Nylander says he needed to get 90-100 tickets for the Sweden games. His grandmother will finally see him play in the NHL live. https://t.co/obDILMZuj3" / X

Despite being born in Calgary and touring the continent while his father Michael played NHL hockey, Nylander is a native of Sweden and the Swedish hockey system. Before turning pro in Toronto, Nylander played for the Sodertalje, MoDo, and Rogle BK organizations. He has also represented Sweden multiple times in the World Championships and World Junior competitions.

William Nylander reveals his grand gesture to ensure his grandmother gets to see him play in an NHL game

Although Toronto has traveled to Europe for exhibition matches in the 1990s and early 2000s, this will be their first visit for two regular-season games.

“To return here and play has been a dream. I never imagined that I would play NHL games in Sweden during my career. That will therefore be special,” Nylander continued.

According to Nylander, he anticipates having between 90 and 100 tickets in his name for national friends and family. Together with John Klingberg, William Lagesson, Timothy Liljegren, and Calle Jarnkrok, he is one of five Swedes on the squad.

Nylander and Maple Leafs have landed in Sweden: 'It's a dream to come back here and play'

Sheldon Keefe, head coach of Toronto, stated that Nylander has been “pretty chill” about the entire thing.

“All Willy had to offer was to walk around and take in the sights, but it sounds like he’s got a lot on his plate while we’re here,” Keefe remarked.

The Leafs will play their first-ever game at 8 a.m. ET on Friday, when they take on the Minnesota Wild. Toronto’s game against Detroit is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Friday.

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