Alex Nylander hopes to be selected higher than brother William in upcoming NHL Draft

BUFFALO – Mississauga Steelheads general manager James Boyd knew selecting Alex Nylander at the 2015 CHL import draft was a gamble.

In 2014, Boyd selected William Nylander with the 13th pick at the import draft and the elder Nylander decided to remain in Sweden playing for Modo before joining the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies following the 2015 world juniors.

However, with William already playing in North America, Boyd figured convincing Alex to join his Ontario Hockey League club would be an easier proposition.

“I know for drafting William, he didn't come, but he ended up in the American Hockey League and I know that he really enjoyed playing in Toronto,” Boyd said. “We took Alex thinking, if William is here, then maybe… and it ended up that the stars aligned and [he] came so I think it was part luck and part sales job on our part.”

In his first season with the Steelheads, Alex scored 28 goals and 75 points in 57 regular season games. He added six goals and six assists in six playoff games as Mississauga fell in the first round to the Barrie Colts.

For his fine rookie season the 18-year-old was named both the OHL and CHL rookie of the year.

Alex grew up playing on North American ice and had little trouble adjusting to the smaller surface after his European stint.

“It’s a bit faster paced hockey, a little bit more hits and just got to make quicker decisions out on the ice,” Alex said. “I loved playing on the smaller rink again, just love it.”

The six-foot-one, 179-pound winger also had his father, a veteran of 920 NHL games, Michael to help him in his first season in the OHL. Michael, in his first full year of retirement, served as an assistant coach with the Steelheads.

“It’s helped a lot, he’s been pushing me in the gym, given me more strength and stuff like that so it’s been a huge help,” Alex said.

William, who spent the past season split between the Marlies and Maple Leafs, has also been an asset to Alex having gone through the draft process in 2014.

“He’s been preparing me a little bit since he went through it two years ago, I’m more prepared myself,” said Alex. “He’s given me a lot of help and helping me throughout the weeks here.

“Almost everyone asked me about my brother (during combine interviews).”

Michael says both his sons have benefitted from better coaching from an earlier age and feels they’re well on their way to having better careers than the one he had, which saw him score 209 goals and 470 assists in parts of 14 NHL seasons.

“I think they're a lot better than me. I would say they get taught to play the right way a lot earlier than I did so I think they are better hockey players,” he said. “It's great. And of course I'm a proud dad, but the work has to continue, its hard work everyday, 365 days of the year pretty much, but they're ready to do it, they love the game. They're really focused and passionate about the game.”

Alex was the third ranked North American skater in the final rankings by NHL Central Scouting. The Hockey News had him as the seventh best prospect in its Top 100 rankings and ISS Hockey ranked Nylander sixth overall in its Top 30 rankings.

“He’s going to be an early pick, there’s no doubt about that. We can’t see him sliding much past seven or eight at the most. There’s just too much offensive upside there,” said ISS Hockey Scouting Director Dennis MacInnis. “To me, he’s very similar to his brother. He’s got about an extra inch in height. One is left-handed, one’s right-handed, but they love to have the puck.

“What I liked the most about him is that he has that ability to win the game single-handedly.”

The brothers will have a small wager on the line to see who is selected higher. The Maple Leafs used their eighth overall pick to take William at the 2014 draft.

According to the elder brother, Alex is a well-rounded player.

“He's a really smart hockey player,” William said. “Great shot, great offensive abilities and smart defensively too, which makes him a great player.”

Whichever club selects Alex will have an option not many CHLers have. Since he’s on loan to the OHL from his Swedish club, Alex is eligible to play in the AHL next season.

With his junior team bounced from the first round of the playoffs, Alex was able to take in games during the Calder Cup playoffs while watching his brother. It gave him an opportunity to understand what he needs to work on to get to the next level.

“Getting a little bit bigger and stronger for next year, be as prepared as possible for it, for the next level,” he said. “It’s a tough game, everyone’s working hard every shift, big players, chippy game – you’ve got to be tough when I get there and get a little bit bigger and stronger.”