Alex Nylander’s mindset exposed with chance to join his brother on Leafs’ roster

Maple Leafs superstar William Nylander is in his younger brother Alex’s corner as he gets a chance to crack the roster in Toronto. Last week, Alex Nylander was signed by the Leafs affiliate team Toronto Marlies and comes September, he will report to the Leafs NHL training camp, looking to crack the main roster and join his brother.
When asked about his mindset going into this massive objective, Alex Nylander reveals what he meant to sign with the Leafs’ organization and the impact it has on his offseason training, , per Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.

“To be with him on the Leafs would be amazing, a dream come true. I’ve watched him and the Leafs play a lot over the years and know a lot of what they do. I can’t wait for that chance to come," he said. "But I know I have to prove myself first. It’s been a long wait to get back on the ice.

I hope to come to Toronto in early September to join the summer skates prior to the main training camp. When that time comes, I’ll have to prove myself. The injury and all that is in the past. I’m more determined than ever. I’m ready for this.”

Last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after the trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex Nylander collected 11 goals and four assists in 23 games.

A brotherly reunion is a great motivator for Alex Nylander as he will seek to impress his brother William.

When the announcement was made by the Marlies, it was only a few weeks after William Nylander made a post on Instagram that sparked speculation that he was looking to bring his younger brother on board.

Now that that’s happened, the Nylanders need to focus on the task ahead, though William will just be looking to pick things up where he left off last season, coming only two points shy of 100 in all of his team’s 82 games that he played.