Michael Gunnar Nylander (born 3 October 1972) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey centre and coach. He played for fifteen seasons in the NHL, and represented the Swedish national team in multiple Olympics and World Championships.[1]
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 against Rejean Lemelin on 27 November 1992 in his 16th game at Boston Garden in a 5-4 Whalers loss.[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.
Nylander was signed by the New York Rangers for the 2005–06 season, playing frequently with right-winger Jaromír Jágr. He centered the first line and first power play unit. Statistically, Nylander had his best[weasel words] 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 dropped 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 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 scored only 33 points in 72 games.
The following season the Washington Capitals faced salary cap restraints. Looking to move salary, they attempted to trade Michael Nylander, but found no suitors for his 5 million dollar salary. The 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 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. 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. Doctors cleared him 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 played for the ZSC Lions in the National League A 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. In 2016, he was an assistant coach with the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League.[9]
Nylander represented Sweden a record[citation needed] 13 times, including the World Cup and the Winter Olympics. He played for the national squad for nearly twenty years from the 1991 World Juniors to the 2010 World Championship, winning nine medals in the process.
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 Columbus Blue Jackets 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]