Michael Gunnar Nylander (born 3 October 1972) is a
Swedish former professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice ...
centre
Center or centre may refer to:
Mathematics
*Center (geometry), the middle of an object
* Center (algebra), used in various contexts
** Center (group theory)
** Center (ring theory)
* Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...
and current assistant coach with the
Mississauga Steelheads in the
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; french: Ligue de hockey de l'Ontario (LHO)) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 16–19. There are exceptions for overa ...
. He competed for the
Swedish national team in the
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially known as the and commonly known as Nagano 1998 ( ja, 長野1998), was a winter multi-sport event held from 7 to 22 February 1998, mainly in Nagano, Japan, with some events taking place in th ...
and the
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games and commonly known as Salt Lake 2002 ( arp, Niico'ooowu' 2002; Gosiute Shoshoni: ''Tit'-so-pi 2002''; nv, Sooléí 2002; Shoshoni: ''Soónkahni 2002''), was an internationa ...
.
Playing career
Nylander was drafted by the
Hartford Whalers in the third round (59th overall) in the
1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was the 29th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The worst team in the previous 1990–91 season, the Quebec Nordiques, was g ...
. In the NHL, he has played for the Hartford Whalers (1992–1994),
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are the third major professional ice hockey te ...
(1994–98),
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play ...
(1999),
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Divisio ...
(1999–2002),
Washington Capitals (2002–03), and
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making ...
(2004),
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its ho ...
(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. 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.
Nylander was signed by the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its ho ...
for the 2005–06 season and played well with All-Star right-winger
Jaromír Jágr
Jaromír Jágr (; born 15 February 1972) is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger for and the owner of Rytíři Kladno of the Czech Extraliga (ELH). He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Pengui ...
. 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
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making ...
on 8 April 2006, Nylander was interviewed by
NBC's
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters ar ...
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
The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey sports league, league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranke ...
and the
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisdicti ...
never made a decision on this situation.
Prior to the
2007–08, as reported on the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...
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.
Nylander
tore his rotator cuff during a
faceoff
A face-off is the method used to begin and restart play after goals in some sports using sticks, primarily ice hockey, bandy, floorball, broomball, rinkball, and lacrosse.
During a face-off, two teams line up in opposition to each other, and ...
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.
In the 2008–09 season, still feeling the effects of his
torn rotator cuff
A rotator cuff tear is an injury where one or more of the tendons or muscles of the rotator cuff of the shoulder get torn. Symptoms may include shoulder pain, which is often worse with movement, limited range of motion, or weakness. This may l ...
, 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
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference, and are ...
organization (who then assigned him to the
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and play home games at Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey Leag ...
of the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the lea ...
) and then later loaned Nylander to
Jokerit of
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga (marketed as just Liiga from 2013 on), (Finnish for ''League'') colloquially called the Finnish Elite League in English or FM-ligan in Swedish, is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. It is one of the six founding leagu ...
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
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and play home games at Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey Leag ...
.
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.
On 17 August 2011, Nylander signed a
tryout contract with the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
, joining the team's training camp. He was released on 25 September 2011.
Nylander then went on to play for the
ZSC Lions in the
National League A
The National League (NL) is a professional ice hockey league in Switzerland and is the top tier of the Swiss league system. Prior to the 2017–18 season, the league was known as National League A. During the 2018–19 season, the league ...
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
EHC Kloten is an ice hockey team based in the city of Kloten in Switzerland. The team plays in the National League (NL). It has one of the best youth systems in Swiss ice hockey as its youth teams have won 19 championships during the last 50 year ...
. He officially retired from professional hockey in 2015 and is currently an assistant coach with the
Mississauga Steelheads of the
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; french: Ligue de hockey de l'Ontario (LHO)) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 16–19. There are exceptions for overa ...
.
International play
Nylander has represented
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic countries, Nordic c ...
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
File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wa ...
by the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
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
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...
organization. Daughter Jacqueline is an aspiring professional tennis player, competing in the
WTA circuit as well as collegiately at
Southern Methodist University
, mottoeng = " The truth will make you free"
, established =
, type = Private research university
, accreditation = SACS
, academic_affiliations =
, religious_affiliation = United Methodist Church
, president = R. Gerald Turner
, p ...
.
Michael has two brothers,
Peter and Thommy.
Transactions
*10 March 1994 – Traded by the
Hartford Whalers along with
James Patrick and
Zarley Zalapski
Zarley Bennett Zalapski (April 22, 1968 – December 10, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played from 1987 to 2010.
Playing career
Zalapski's career started with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders of the Alberta Junior Hock ...
to the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are the third major professional ice hockey te ...
in exchange for
Gary Suter,
Paul Ranheim and
Ted Drury.
*19 January 1999 – Traded by the Calgary Flames to the
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play ...
in exchange for
Andrei Nazarov
Andrei Viktorovich Nazarov (russian: Андрей Викторович Назаров; born May 22, 1974) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player and head coach of HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has formerly manag ...
.
*12 November 1999 – Traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Divisio ...
in exchange for
Bryan Muir
Bryan D. Muir (born June 8, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 279 games in the National Hockey League, winning a Stanley Cup Championship with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. He last played with the Frankfu ...
and
Reid Simpson
Reid Philip Simpson (born May 21, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blac ...
.
*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
Andrei Vasilievich Nikolishin (russian: Андрей Васильевич Николишин; born March 25, 1973) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player who last played for Sokil Kyiv of the Professional Hockey League of Ukraine. Ov ...
.
*4 March 2004 – Traded by the Washington Capitals to the
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making ...
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
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its ho ...
.
*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
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and play home games at Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey Leag ...
of the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the lea ...
*7 November 2009 – Placed on Waivers by the
Washington Capitals.
*13 December 2009 – Assigned to the
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and play home games at Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey Leag ...
(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
The SM-liiga (marketed as just Liiga from 2013 on), (Finnish for ''League'') colloquially called the Finnish Elite League in English or FM-ligan in Swedish, is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. It is one of the six founding leagu ...
).
*29 September 2010 – Loaned to the
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans (colloquially known as the Amerks) are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League; the team is an owned and operated affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, a ...
of the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the lea ...
.
*August 2011 – Signed professional tryout contract with the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey sports league, league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranke ...
.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
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
Elitserien (literally, "the Elite League") is the name of several Swedish nationwide sport leagues. In many sports, Elitserien is the highest league, with the second highest named Allsvenskan.
Elitserien leagues at present:
* Elitserien (badmin ...
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
External links
*
Nylander a Swede Sensation in NY (nhlpa.com)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nylander, Michael
1972 births
Living people
AIK IF players
Ak Bars Kazan players
Bolzano HC players
Boston Bruins players
Calgary Flames players
Chicago Blackhawks players
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Canada
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Finland
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Expatriate ice hockey players in Russia
Expatriate ice hockey players in Switzerland
Grand Rapids Griffins players
Hartford Whalers draft picks
Hartford Whalers players
HC Lugano players
HC Vita Hästen players
Huddinge IK players
Jokerit players
JYP Jyväskylä players
EHC Kloten players
New York Rangers players
Olympic ice hockey players of Sweden
Ice hockey players at the 1998 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey players at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Oulun Kärpät players
Rochester Americans players
Rögle BK players
SKA Saint Petersburg players
Södertälje SK players
Ice hockey people from Stockholm
Springfield Indians players
Swedish expatriate sportspeople in Russia
Swedish expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
Swedish expatriate ice hockey people
Swedish ice hockey centres
Tampa Bay Lightning players
Washington Capitals players
ZSC Lions players
Ontario Hockey League coaches