Watch Brooks Laich’s assists on milestone Nylander family goals (Video)
Brooks Laich’s connection to the Nylander family grew on Saturday night after 19-year-old rookie William Nylander scored his first NHL goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The goal was assisted by Laich, his first point since being traded to Toronto.
Now let’s rewind seven years to April 5, 2009 during a game between the Washington Capitals and Atlanta Thrashers. Early in the third period of a 6-4 Capitals win, 36-year-old Michael Nylander tied the game with his 209th and final NHL goal.
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Who was the spry young winger setting up Papa Nylander’s goal with a lovely backhandedd pass? Why, that would be a 22-year-old Brooks Laich, of course.
“I played with his dad,” Laich joked earlier this week via Kevin McGran. “Maybe that makes he his uncle. He can call me Uncle Brooks.”
We now look forward to Laich’s assist on 2016-draft eligible Alex Nylander’s first NHL goal whenever that happens.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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