William Nylander
William Andrew Michael Junior Nylander Altelius is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Calgary in 1996, the son of former NHL player Michael Nylander, he is a dual citizen of Sweden and Canada who represents Sweden internationally. Nicknamed "Willy Styles", Nylander is renowned for his offensive flair, speed, and playmaking, having developed into one of the league's elite scorers and a central figure for the Maple Leafs franchise. His career in Toronto, marked by consistent point production and record-setting performances, has made him a key player for one of Canada's most followed hockey teams.
Early Life and Youth Career
William Nylander was born in Calgary, Alberta, on 1 May 1996, while his father, Michael Nylander, was playing for the Calgary Flames of the NHL. As a dual citizen of Sweden and Canada, his early years were spent following his father's professional career across North America, with stops in Tampa Bay, Chicago, Washington, Boston, and New York. This itinerant childhood included playing in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a New York Rangers minor hockey team. When William was 14, the family relocated permanently to Sweden, his father's native country, to further his hockey development where he joined clubs like Södertälje SK and Rögle BK.
Nylander's professional career began in earnest on 14 February 2013, when he made his HockeyAllsvenskan debut for Södertälje SK, playing alongside his father and earning an assist on a goal by Robert Carlsson in his first game. He closed out the 2013-14 season with a 22-game rookie stint in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with MoDo Hockey, where he logged as many as 20 minutes of ice time per night. His offensive talent and puck-moving abilities made him a top prospect for the 2014 NHL entry draft, though scouts noted concerns about his defensive play and his then-smaller stature of 5 feet 9 inches and 169 pounds measured at the draft combine. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected him eighth overall in that draft, setting the stage for his North American career.
Professional Career with the Toronto Maple Leafs
After being drafted, Nylander signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on 18 August 2014. He began the 2014-15 season with MoDo in the SHL, tallying eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 21 games, but on 12 January 2015, he was reassigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) to further his development. His impact with the Marlies was immediate and sensational, as he scored 32 points in 37 games playing on the right-wing and helped propel the struggling team from the bottom of the standings into the Calder Cup playoffs. Although he left Modo after 21 games, he was mentioned as a possible candidate for the SHL Rookie of the Year award for that season.
Nylander made his NHL debut on 29 February 2016, against the Tampa Bay Lightning at age 19, and scored his first NHL goal on 5 March 2016, against Andrew Hammond of the Ottawa Senators, with an assist from Brooks Laich. The 2016-17 season marked his first full NHL campaign, where he debuted on a line with Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman on 12 October 2016, assisting on two of Matthews's four goals in that record-setting debut. He was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for October 2016 after recording 11 points in nine games, which was second in league scoring and first among rookies at the time. Nylander scored his first career hat-trick on 4 February 2017, against the Boston Bruins, and finished his rookie season with 61 points, helping the Maple Leafs qualify for the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs where they were eliminated in six games by the Washington Capitals.
During the 2017-18 season, Nylander was again placed on the top line with Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman. Early in the season, he went on an 11-game scoring drought, which ended with an overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils. By scoring that goal, Nylander became only the second player in franchise history, after Miroslav Fryčer, to score the only goal of a regular season game in overtime. He ended the regular season recording 61 points, the same total as his rookie season. The Maple Leafs once again qualified for the playoffs, where they were eliminated in seven games of the first round by the Boston Bruins. He recorded one goal and three assists during those seven games.
He agreed to a six-year, $45 million contract after reportedly losing $30,000 in pay each day he remained unsigned and after the Maple Leafs had fielded trade offers for him. He was a healthy scratch for his first game back but made his season debut on 6 December 2018, against the Detroit Red Wings, struggling to amass only 27 points in 54 games for the remainder of that season. Ahead of the 2019-20 season, Nylander changed his jersey number from 29 to 88, a number he wore in Sweden and a nod to Patrick Kane, and he agreed to cover the cost for fans to get their jerseys changed. His play markedly improved that year, especially after Sheldon Keefe replaced Mike Babcock as head coach, and he set a career-high with 31 goals in 68 games before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Season | Goals | Assists | Points | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 17 | 25 | 42 (in 51 games) | Led team in playoff goals and points. |
| 2021-22 | 34 | 46 | 80 | First 80-point season. |
| 2023-24 | 40 | 58 | 98 | Career highs in assists and points. 17-game point streak to start season. |
During the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, Nylander finished with 42 points in 51 games and led the team in goals and points during the playoffs, including a four-game goal streak in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens, though the Leafs lost the series after leading 3-1. His elite play continued, and he was named one of the NHL's three stars for the week of December 5-11, 2022, with three goals and four assists over three games, helping extend a team point streak to 14 contests. In the 2023-24 season, he set a new franchise record with a point in the first 17 games and was named the NHL's third star of the week ending 12 November 2023, with 4 goals and 3 assists over four games. He later starred in the 2023 NHL Global Series Sweden in Stockholm, scoring the overtime winner against the Minnesota Wild and earning another Star of the Week honour.
On 8 January 2024, after months of speculation, Nylander signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the Maple Leafs, the largest in total value in team history. He was later named to his first All-Star Game after leading all skaters in fan voting for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game and was named the NHL's second star of the week ending 22 December 2024 after scoring 5 goals and 2 assists in three games. In the 2024 playoffs, he missed the first three games against Boston due to severe migraines before returning in Game 4 to score both goals in a Game 6 victory and the opening goal in Game 7, a series the Leafs ultimately lost in overtime. The 2024-25 season saw him score 45 goals, finish second in the NHL, and lead the team in playoff scoring before a second-round exit to the Florida Panthers. During the 2025-26 season, he set a new Maple Leafs franchise record by scoring his 15th career overtime goal on 26 November 2025 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, surpassing Mats Sundin and Auston Matthews.
International Career
Despite his Canadian birthplace, the International Ice Hockey Federation ruled on 12 November 2012 that Nylander was eligible to represent Sweden, which he has done throughout his career. His international honours are numerous and began at a young age. He helped Sweden win gold at the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, recording a tournament-high eight assists. The following year, he was a standout at the 2014 World U18 Championships, winning the scoring race with 16 points in seven games. At the 2015 World Junior Championships, he finished fifth in tournament scoring, the highest of any player not on the Canadian junior team.
Nylander's senior team debut came at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where he was a tournament standout. He led Sweden in scoring with 14 points in 10 games, won a gold medal, and was named the tournament's most valuable player. He returned to the World Championships in 2019, leading the entire tournament in scoring with 18 points in eight games and earning a spot on the tournament all-star team, despite Sweden's quarterfinal elimination by Finland. Ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season, he was announced as one of the first six players for Sweden at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and was subsequently named an alternate captain, finishing the tournament with two assists. In the 2025 off-season, Nylander was announced as one of the first six players selected to represent Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
Playing Style and Evolution
William Nylander is celebrated for a dynamic and offensively creative playing style built on elite skating speed, exceptional puck-handling skills, and a sharp, accurate shot. His ability to drive play, enter the offensive zone with control, and create scoring chances for himself and his linemates has been a consistent feature of his game since his junior days in Sweden. While early professional critiques focused on his defensive consistency and his then-smaller physical stature, his overall two-way game and physical maturity have improved significantly throughout his NHL career, as evidenced by his increased responsibility and ice time. His on-ice chemistry with centre Auston Matthews has been particularly fruitful, forming one of the most potent offensive duos in the league for many seasons. Nylander's game evolved from a promising rookie to an elite point-per-game scorer, demonstrated by his consecutive 40-goal campaigns and his first 98-point season in 2023-24. His clutch performance is highlighted by his franchise-record 15 overtime goals, a skill that has decided numerous games for the Maple Leafs. The record-setting eight-year contract he signed in 2024 confirms his value to the team as a core player for the long term and reflects his journey from a highly-touted draft pick through a public contract negotiation to becoming an elite NHL scorer.
Personal Life and Family
Nylander comes from a deeply hockey-oriented family. His father, Michael Nylander, enjoyed a long NHL career spanning over 15 seasons with several teams. William's younger brother, Alexander Nylander, was also selected eighth overall in the NHL draft, by the Buffalo Sabres in 2016, and later became his teammate on the Toronto Maple Leafs. On 24 November 2024, the Nylander brothers took the ice together for the Maple Leafs, becoming just the fifth set of brothers to do so in franchise history. William maintains strong connections to both Sweden and Canada, spending his off-seasons in Sweden where he launched a YouTube channel in the summer of 2025. His nickname "Willy Styles" reflects his recognizable on-ice flair and his off-ice persona, and he originally chose his first NHL number 29 because it was a reversal of his father's number 92.
Career Achievements and Milestones
In the 2017 World Championship, William Nylander won a gold medal and was named the tournament's most valuable player (MVP). He has been named one of the NHL's three stars of the week on multiple occasions, including weeks ending in December 2022 and November 2023. In the 2025 off-season, he was named the winner of Guldpucken, awarded annually to the top Swedish ice hockey player. He was also named to his first NHL All-Star Game in 2024 after leading all skaters in fan voting.
- IIHF World Championship gold medalist (2017).
- IIHF World Championship most valuable player (MVP) (2017).
- IIHF World Championship scoring leader and tournament all-star team (2019).
- Winner of Guldpucken as Sweden's top hockey player (2025).
- NHL All-Star Game selection (2024).
- NHL Rookie of the Month (October 2016).
- NHL Three Stars of the Week (multiple occasions, including weeks ending 11 Dec 2022, 12 Nov 2023, 22 Dec 2024).
- Toronto Maple Leafs franchise record for most overtime goals (15, as of November 2025).
- Set Maple Leafs franchise record for longest point streak to start a season (17 games, 2023-24).
- Recorded a career-high 98 points in the 2023-24 season (40 goals, 58 assists).
- Scored two career NHL hat-tricks (4 Feb 2017 vs. Boston, 4 Feb 2025 vs. Calgary).
In the 2025 off-season, Nylander was announced as one of the first six players selected for Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He has a strong international record, having also led the 2019 World Championship in scoring with 18 points in 8 games. Domestically, he holds the Maple Leafs' franchise record for most overtime goals. His career is defined by high-level achievement in both international play and with his NHL club.
Recent Seasons and Current Status
Entering the 2025-26 season, William Nylander remains a central offensive engine for the Toronto Maple Leafs, coming off a 45-goal campaign where he finished second in the NHL in that category. His franchise-record overtime goal in November 2025 against the Columbus Blue Jackets was his 15th, a sign of his continued knack for clutch scoring. He continues to play on the team's top offensive lines and is a fixture on the power play, utilizing his shot and playmaking vision. Internationally, his focus is set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, where he will be a key offensive contributor for the Swedish national team seeking a medal. His career trajectory shows a player who has steadily improved his production and consistency, evolving from a skilled prospect into one of the league's most dangerous wingers. His combination of skill, speed, and big-game performance ensures he will remain a player of significant interest to fans in Canada and across the hockey world.
Questions about William Nylander
Is William Nylander Canadian or Swedish?
William Nylander is a dual citizen of Canada and Sweden. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, in 1996 while his father, Michael Nylander, was playing for the Calgary Flames. Despite his Canadian birthplace, he has always represented Sweden in international hockey competitions, a eligibility confirmed by the IIHF in 2012. He spent much of his youth in the United States before moving to Sweden at age 14, where he developed his professional game.
Has William Nylander won any major awards?
Yes, William Nylander has won several major awards. Internationally, he was named the most valuable player at the 2017 IIHF World Championship after leading Sweden to a gold medal. In 2025, he was awarded the Guldpucken, which is given annually to the best Swedish ice hockey player. While he has yet to win a major NHL trophy, he has been selected to an All-Star Game and has been named one of the NHL's Three Stars of the Week on multiple occasions throughout his career.
What is William Nylander's contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
William Nylander signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs on 8 January 2024. This contract is the largest in franchise history by total value. It followed his previous six-year, $45 million deal signed in December 2018, which was agreed to just minutes before a league deadline. This long-term commitment reflects his status as an elite offensive forward for the team.
What records does William Nylander hold with the Maple Leafs?
William Nylander holds the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise record for most overtime goals. He scored his 15th regular season overtime goal on 26 November 2025 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, surpassing teammates Auston Matthews and former captain Mats Sundin. He also set the franchise record for the longest point streak to start a season, recording at least one point in the team's first 17 games of the 2023-24 season. These achievements highlight his role as a clutch performer and consistent offensive producer for the team.
Is William Nylander playing in the 2026 Olympics?
Yes, William Nylander is scheduled to play for Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. He was announced as one of the first six players selected for the Swedish national team during the 2025 off-season. This continues his extensive international career representing Sweden, for which he is eligible despite being born in Canada. His previous international experience includes winning gold and tournament MVP at the 2017 World Championship and playing in the 2024 4 Nations Face Off.
Sources and further reading
- William Nylander (Wikipedia)
- NHL Tonight: William Nylander's future with Toronto (nhl.com)
Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.
