In a decision that turned heads in the hockey world, William Nylander opted to represent Sweden over Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off—a move that ultimately cut his tournament run short.
Had he chosen Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs star would be preparing for a high-stakes final against Team USA. Instead, Sweden’s campaign ended with a dramatic upset victory over the Americans, marking a bittersweet conclusion to Nylander’s participation.
But for the 27-year-old forward, the decision wasn’t just about hockey—it was about identity.
“Yeah, like, I was born there. I mean, I left Canada when I was two years old, so I don’t really remember too much about it. I’ve always considered myself Swedish.”
While Nylander was born in Calgary, Alberta, his family moved to Sweden when he was just a toddler. His father, Michael Nylander, was an NHL veteran who spent several seasons playing in North America, but William’s upbringing was largely Scandinavian.
Sweden’s Rough Start and Dramatic Finish
Sweden’s journey in the 4 Nations Face-Off wasn’t smooth sailing. The team suffered two heartbreaking overtime losses, both ending in 4-3 defeats. That left them in a precarious position, needing a Canada-Finland overtime game to have any shot at making the final. Unfortunately for the Swedes, that scenario never played out.
Despite the setbacks, Nylander remained focused. Speaking ahead of their final game against Team USA, he acknowledged the team’s struggles but kept his sights set on finishing strong.
“I mean, it’s not great. We have two OT losses in two games. So, I mean, we just gotta regroup here and play the game against USA [to win]. And hopefully, the scores go our way.”
In their last game, Sweden finally delivered. They stunned Team USA with a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Gustav Nyquist and Erik Karlsson. Nylander contributed an assist, bringing his tournament tally to two points in three games, and logged over 18 minutes of ice time in the triumph.
No Love Lost in the Rivalry
While fans and media love to hype up international hockey rivalries, Nylander made it clear that, for him, it’s all about competing at the highest level—regardless of the opponent.
“I mean, you guys build up the rivalry as if it’s something crazy. But I mean, we just hate losing.”
His words echoed the sentiment of many top-tier athletes: it’s not about who’s on the other side of the ice—it’s about winning.
What’s Next for Nylander?
With the 4 Nations Face-Off in the rearview mirror, Nylander now shifts his focus back to the NHL season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He remains a key figure in the team’s offense, and his performance in international play only reaffirmed his ability to step up in big moments.
While some Canadian fans might feel a sting from his decision, for Nylander, the choice was clear—he was always meant to wear Tre Kronor.
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