When William Nylander turned up for Toronto’s practice on Wednesday, he wasn’t wearing his Maple Leafs sweater as expected. Instead, the son of former-Capital Michael Nylander was sporting a Team Canada jersey.
It was an unusual sight for fans and media in attendance, considering that Nylander is very Swedish and represents Sweden at international tournaments.
Kristen Shilton, the Maple Leafs reporter for TSN Sports, reported that Nylander lost a bet to Mike Babcock. The bet was wagered over the outcome of World Juniors. Canada bested Sweden in the final earlier in the year, 3-1, to win gold.
Turns out, this was from a bet Nylander made with Babcock over World Juniors outcome. Babs had to supply the jersey, just happened to be today. https://t.co/4KyL1LRoBU
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 21, 2018
if mike babcock had lost bet with william nylander, he would have had to wear a swedish track suit for the entirety of practice.
so, we've all been deprived of something here. pic.twitter.com/IOHDEYGl8R
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 21, 2018
Reporters in attendance at practice posted photographs to Twitter. Leo Komorov joined Nylander on the ice moments later, also in a Canadian sweater.
looks like William Nylander lost a bet pic.twitter.com/TVUnYySwm8
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) February 21, 2018
Calgary-born William Nylander looks pretty comfortable in Canadian colours at #leafs practice. pic.twitter.com/OcofXvok2K
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 21, 2018
William Nylander arrives at #Leafs practice in a 🇨🇦 sweater after Sweden was eliminated from men’s ice hockey by Germany in the Olympic semis (assuming that’s why).
Who he made this apparent bet with is still a mystery. But oh, we will find out. pic.twitter.com/CCjmDNOPeu
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 21, 2018
Leo Komarov has joined William Nylander in representing #TeamCanada at #TMLtalk practice.#NHL pic.twitter.com/1e8Yci0gDA
— Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) February 21, 2018
Leo Komarov is wearing the Vancouver 2010 Team Canada sweater while William Nylander dons the 2014 Sochi version.
Mike Babcock probably owns a few of both. pic.twitter.com/qy2dyXkNlx
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 21, 2018
The timing of Babcock cashing in on the bet can’t have been coincidental. Just hours before practice started, Team Sweden was eliminated from the quarterfinals at the 2018 Winter Olympics by Germany.
As for Komorov, he lost his bet to Maple Leafs video coach Andrew Brewer. That bet was over the result of Finland and Canada’s quarterfinal match up. Canada won 1-0.
However, the last laugh was ultimately had by the kids. On Friday, Canada was eliminated from the Olympics by Germany in the semifinal. Germany will now move on to play OAR for gold.
But never let it be said that Mike Babcock doesn’t have a sense of humor.
After first drill, Babcock tells Nylander and Komarov they can change into regular practice jerseys pic.twitter.com/euUs4dLpN5
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 21, 2018
Headline photo: @Kevin McGran
