Assistant Coach Director of Player Development
Gary Nylund
Gary Nylund was born in Surrey, B.C., and grew up and played all of his minor hockey in neighboring North Delta, B.C. After playing for three years with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, Gary was selected third overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1982 N.H.L. Entry Draft. He was the highest drafted player in Maple Leaf history. Gary went on to enjoy eleven years in the N.H.L. as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Islanders.
Gary is now a firefighter in Delta. In 2004, he received the British Columbia “Award of Valor” and Canada’s prestigious “Award of Bravery” for his roll in saving two fellow firefighters from a burning warehouse. Gary is also the proud father of triplet teenage daughters.
PRE-DRAFT AWARDS & HONOURS
BCJHL Best Defenseman: 1978-79 (Delta Suns)
W.H.L. All-Star Second Team: 1980-81 (Portland Winterhawks)
W.H.L. All-Star First Team: 1981-82 (Portland Winterhawks)
Memorial Cup All-Star First Team: 1981-82 (Portland Winterhawks)
W.H.L. Top Defenseman: 1981-82 (Portland Winterhawks)
World Junior Championships – Gold Medal: 1982 (Canada)
This was the first Canadian team to win gold medal at World Junior Championships.
N.H.L. CAREER
Toronto Maple Leafs: 1982-83
Toronto Maple Leafs: 1983-84
Toronto Maple Leafs: 1984-85
Toronto Maple Leafs: 1985-86
Chicago Blackhawks: 1986-87
Chicago Blackhawks: 1987-88
Chicago Blackhawks: 1988-89
New York Islanders: 1988-89
New York Islanders: 1989-90
New York Islanders: 1990-91
New York Islanders: 1991-92
New York Islanders: 1992-93
