Gothenburg. Alexander Nylander first appears in Tre Kronor.
Prior to the set, he had been hanging out with his older brother, William Nylander, in Toronto.
– We’ve talked a lot about wanting to play the World Cup together when it’s appropriate, says the 25-year-old right-forward.
Alexander Nylander with five seasons and 101 matches in the NHL is ready for the Swedish WC team.
This season he played eight NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and 55 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
After the season, he went and lived with his older brother, William Nylander, for one year at the Toronto Maple Leafs.
– I got the experience when they passed the first round for the first time in 19 years. It was crazy, it was such joy. Now I think they will be able to play in a different way, says Alexander Nylander.
Focus on the Stanley Cup
Big Brother usually doesn’t hesitate before agreeing to play WC for Tre Kronor.
As recently as last year he was one of the big Swedish stars alongside Rasmus Dahlin, Linus Ullmark and Oliver Ekman-Larson at WC in Tampere.
– We’ve talked all the time over the years that we want to play together and that WC with Tre Kronor is a huge opportunity. I’ve seen him play in his three World Cups. I was there in Cologne in 2017 when they won the FIFA World Cup gold and I was on my way to the final last year when they eventually lost to Canada in the semi-finals. It’s clear that all the focus is on the Stanley Cup now and he’s not thinking about anything else, and I hope they win it all. If they go out in the second round, there’s a chance he’ll come in, but that’s not something we’d hope for. We’ll see if it happens that we play together now or in the future, says Alexander Nylander.
“very happy and excited”
This week is the Czech Hockey Games, and next week the World Cup starts.
Three Kronors gathered in Gothenburg to face Switzerland in Scandinavia on Thursday night.
– Now I’m here and I’m so happy and excited. It’s very exciting, and it’s going to be really fun. We will do our best to win every match and get the gold medal. I just want to drive. I want to show how hard it is to fight and I want to increase the level of energy that I can play with,” says Alexander Nylander.
He missed the entire 2020/21 season with a knee injury and struggled to make a comeback.
I was 500 days away from playing the match. It was hard, and it wasn’t easy to come back from there. You obviously didn’t feel the hardship when you came back. I was very uneven the first time around, says Alexander Nylander.
Satan must be cruel.
This season there have been 50 points (25 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games in the AHL.
– I feel like I have to start now and restore my faith in the AHL. I had to play and find my game again and work hard. I’m back to the player I really am. Although it took longer than I wanted. I was patient and I fought every day, says Alexander Nylander.
With his technique and skating skills, he made a name for himself as a creative offensive player.
I want to contribute by working hard, scoring goals and trying to find passes. It’s just a matter of holding onto the ball and playing well in the defensive area. When I’m working hard and skating every shift I’m at my best and then comes the second thing. I’m ready, I’ll be tough here and continue. Alexander Nylander says: I want to be proud of the player I can be.
The World Cup starts in Tampere next Friday, and Tre Kronor plays Germany in their first group stage match on the same day.
Hockey WC 2023: Matches & TV Schedule • Next Sweden will play