Since the beginning of his professional hockey career two years ago, there is one name that Rochester Americans fans have all been fixated on: Alexander Nylander, the boy.
Entering the AHL at only 18 years old, he was a boy in every sense. And he took that role in stride.
Having just graduated high school, the fresh-faced first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2016 would often crack jokes at his own expense about everything from his lack of facial hair to his inability to drive a car.
And even now, in the third year of his entry-level contract, Nylander is still the youngest player on the team and two years younger than almost all of this year's Amerks rookies.
But he has been growing up right before our eyes.
"As young as he is, I think he's really matured this summer," said head coach Chris Taylor of the 6-foot-1 forward. "You can tell on the ice, off the ice, and how he's communicating with the guys. His body language, too, with the other players. He's got two years underneath his belt, and now he's grown, he's matured, and he's coming in with a real edge to his game now."
An edge to his game and some major offensive firepower. The winger has notched a point per game through the first eight games of the regular-season. But his journey hasn't been a linear one.
After setting goal-scoring records in the OHL, the Canadian-born Swede made the leap to professional hockey. Following a strong training camp, the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the Amerks for his first pro season.
"It was different. I had to adapt. It was just a learning curve, playing against men," said Nylander of his first taste of AHL hockey. "I had a good year in the OHL, and I wanted to play against men. I wanted to get used to it, but it was obviously hard mentally, especially when you're not producing like you're used to. Throughout my (junior) career I was used to producing offensively."
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