Maple Leafs' William Nylander named Sweden's hockey player of the year

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William Nylander will have a golden hue when he arrives at Maple Leafs training camp in September.

The star winger this past weekend received the Guldpucken (The Golden Puck), awarded annually to Sweden’s best hockey player by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and newspaper Expressen.

The recognition comes after the 29-year-old Nylander scored a career-high 45 goals and had 84 points for the Leafs in 82 games in 2024-25.

It’s the first time Nylander has won the award, which has been presented since 1956 and was extended to include current NHL players in 2015.

Florida Panthers defenceman Gustav Forsling was the recipient a year ago. Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Erik Karlsson has won the Guldpucken three times, the most among any player, while defenceman Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning is a two-time winner.

Nylander was told via text by his dad, Michael Nylander, that he was getting the award.

“It’s a very special feeling,” William Nylander told Expressen. “It’s perhaps a goal you’ve always had in the back of your mind, to try to be Sweden’s best player. I appreciate that you chose me for it because we have so many good Swedish hockey players.”

There was further good news for the Nylander family, as the Toronto Marlies announced the signing of forward Alex Nylander on Monday to a one-year AHL contract.

In 64 games with the Marlies last season, he scored 23 goals and had 44 points. He played in five games with the Leafs but did not record a point.

The Marlies also announced the signings of forwards Brandon Paddock and Luke Grainger to one-year AHL contracts.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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