Gary Nylund

Gary Nylund (born October 28, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in 608 National Hockey League games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders.

Overview Nylund was born in Surrey, British Columbia and raised in North Delta, British Columbia. He was selected third overall by Toronto in the 1982 NHL entry draft.

Nylund became the first NHL player to change teams via free agency requiring compensation when he left the Maple Leafs after signing an offer sheet with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1986.

Following his retirement, Nylund became a firefighter in Delta, British Columbia. He was awarded the Medal of Bravery in 2004 for his part in saving the lives of two fellow firefighters in a 2001 chemical fire at a paper mill on Annacis Island in B.C.

Nylund was a part-owner and assistant coach of the BCHL Surrey Eagles franchise from 2010 to 2012, and returned in a coaching role for the 2015-16 season.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1978–79 Delta Suns BCHL 57 6 29 35 107 — — — — — 1978–79 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1979–80 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 72 5 21 26 59 8 0 1 1 2 1980–81 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 70 6 40 46 186 9 1 7 8 17 1981–82 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 65 7 59 66 267 15 3 16 19 74 1982–83 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 16 0 3 3 16 — — — — — 1983–84 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 47 2 14 16 103 — — — — — 1984–85 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 76 3 17 20 99 — — — — — 1985–86 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 79 2 16 18 180 10 0 2 2 25 1986–87 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 80 7 20 27 190 4 0 2 2 11 1987–88 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 76 4 15 19 208 5 0 0 0 10 1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 23 3 2 5 63 — — — — — 1988–89 New York Islanders NHL 46 4 8 12 74 — — — — — 1989–90 New York Islanders NHL 64 4 21 25 144 5 0 2 2 17 1990–91 New York Islanders NHL 72 2 21 23 105 — — — — — 1991–92 Capital District Islanders AHL 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1991–92 New York Islanders NHL 7 0 1 1 10 — — — — — 1992–93 Capital District Islanders AHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1992–93 New York Islanders NHL 22 1 1 2 43 — — — — — NHL totals 608 32 139 171 1235 24 0 6 6 63

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1982 Canada WJC 7 1 3 4 0 Awards WHL Second All-Star Team – 1981 WHL First All-Star Team – 1982