Page 84 - Sharp Winter 2025

a hugely important part of my life. It’s about taking care of someone else other than yourself. Regardless of what else is happening — whether I just made the biggest play of my life, or we just had our hearts broken in the playoffs — they’re going to love me the same. It puts things in perspective. When they need attention and love, fuck everything else. Forget about it. Let’s go for a walk.”
For any Toronto athlete, the spotlight burns bright. But for a Maple Leaf, the distinction holds a different weight entirely. “I’d obviously followed hockey throughout my childhood but all I really paid attention to was where my dad played. I had no idea what it meant to get drafted by the Leafs. Then, I got here as an 18-year- old, and it was a complete culture shock. The market, the history, the generations of fans. Really, I don’t think there’s anything like it in sports.”
He recalls the first moment he touched down in Toronto. He was heading to a rookie development camp in the city and stopped by a downtown hotel to drop his bags off. “I’ve been in this city for maybe 15 minutes,” he says. “I leave the hotel and walk down the street to grab Chipotle and this tour bus drives by and the driver pulls out a microphone and says, ‘The Leafs’ William Nylander is on your left.’ Like, what the fuck man,” he laughs. “I’m barely a Leaf. I’m barely even in the city yet. But that’s the culture man. [...] It’s what makes it so unique. It just matters more.”
For decades, the franchise has perpetually fallen short of expectations while, at the same time, implausibly raising them the following year. It’s been 57 years since the franchise has won a Stanley Cup, the longest drought in league history. Still, through heartbreaking losses, blinding migraines, and championship hopes left unfulfilled, Leafs fans never wavered when it came to their star winger.
“The city and the fans have always been so good to me. I think it’s because they know I’m right there with them. It’s why I love living downtown, stopping to talk, being surrounded by people. I want to feel connected, like we’re in it together.”
As his stock continues to rise and with a new contract freshly inked, off-ice distractions loom around every corner (future docuseries, business ventures, and the opportunities that only come with big-market stardom). But when asked what else this year might entail, Nylander’s smile drops. He goes stoic, the way he was while forced to watch the playoffs from home last spring.
“When it’s all said and done, I just want to be the guy that was on the team that won the Cup for us. Forget about everything else. That would be the only thing that would matter. That’s why I signed here. I want to win a championship more than anything.”
And Toronto, after an agonizing 57-year drought, is the best place to do it?
“It’s the only place to do it.”
84 WINTER 2025
SHARPMAGAZINE.COM
FEATURE
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