The Toronto Maple Leafs will loan touted prospect William Nylander to Team Sweden for the 2016 World Junior Championship, the Maple Leafs announced on Tuesday.
The news is a boon for the Swedish team’s chances in Helsinki. The 8th overall pick of the 2014 draft was a key forward for the team at last year’s tournament, scoring three goals and 10 points through seven games.
The 19-year-old is currently playing for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL and will join Sweden at their World Junior Selection Camp after the Marlies play two road games this week. He has been dominant in the AHL this season, putting up 14 goals and 33 points through 25 games.
Playing in the tournament not only gives Nylander another shot at winning gold and developing in big games on a big stage, but it gives him an opportunity to play with his brother. Highly regarded 2016 draft eligible forward Alexander Nylander was also invited to the Swedish selection camp and is expected to make the tournament roster.
Alexander Nylander has put up 21 goals and 49 points in 33 games for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL this season. The rookie ranks fifth in goals and sixth in points in the OHL. That’s good to have him rank as the league’s top rookie scorer, almost doubling up on his nearest competition, Sault Ste. Marie’s Boris Katchouk, who has 27 points.
William Nylander is the second player that the Maple Leafs have loaned for the tournament. They announced Sunday that they will be loaning Kasperi Kapanen to the Finnish team.
The 2016 World Junior Championship starts on December 26 in Helsinki, Finland.
William Nylander to join Swedish world junior team on Saturday following the Toronto Marlies' two road games this week.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) December 15, 2015