Page 19 of The Trade Deadline
Abigail Cunningham, The Baltimore Sun
THE BLUE CRABS PLAY the Ohio Otters tomorrow for the first time this season. It’s a game that’s normally just a checkbox on the schedule: an early game in the season with no bad blood between the two franchises to fire up the divisional matchup. Normally that’s a recipe for an enjoyable Saturday afternoon, one that’s not as stressful as those nail biters later in the season. Tomorrow’s game is different, though.
For those who have been following Lars Nilsson’s career since he joined the NHL, you’re probably already well acquainted with his heated rivalry with his older brother Anders, captain of the Otters. For Blue Crabs fans who have managed to avoid the fanfare surrounding the two Swedish brothers, here’s everything you need to know (and a few things you didn’t) about the brothers.
MATS NILSSON
The story starts with Mats Nilsson, Lars’s and Anders’s father. Born in 1969, the Swedish defenseman was drafted by the Toronto Terrors and played for them for over a decade, where he won two Cups with the team and served as an Alternate Captain. He married Sofa Lingren the summer after his rookie season, and the couple had their first son, Anders, when they were twenty-two; Lars was born seven years later.
Because of how demanding his work and training schedule was, Mats and Sofa often spent the NHL season in Toronto while young Anders and Lars remained in Sweden with their grandparents. But even from a young age, it was clear Mats expected both his sons to follow in his footsteps and play professional hockey. Luckily, both boys seem to have taken to it eagerly and enjoyed participating in the most prestigious hockey programs Gothenburg has to offer while receiving personal training from Sweden’s finest coaches.
Unfortunately, Mats never got to see his dreams come to fruition. Both he and Sofa died tragically in a plane crash when Lars was only five. His number was retired by the Terrors a season later, the #7 hanging across from the Stanley Cup banners Mats helped the team earn.
ANDERS NILSSON
Like his father, Anders has always been a lauded defenseman. He won silver twice with Team Sweden in the World Junior Championship and a bronze medal the last time NHL players were able to participate in the Olympics. Anders was drafted by the Ohio Otters, where he won the Stanley Cup his rookie year (earning both Calder and Conn Smythe) and has been its captain for the past five years. His contract ends in two seasons, and it’s likely that he’ll retire as an Otter at that time.
Anders left Sweden at age 18 and seemingly never looked back. He rarely visits his home country except for international competitions and family matters like his grandfather’s funeral six years ago. After moving to Ohio, he married Amanda Steinway and the couple have two children. Alva Lingren, Anders’s maternal grandmother, lives with the family and is often seen at Otters games and practices supporting her eldest grandson.
Q: Your father famously said he wanted both his sons to follow in his footsteps and play in the NHL. Is that a dream you have for your son?
Anders Nilsson: No. If that’s what he wants to pursue, then I’ll support him in his efforts. If he doesn’t want to play hockey, I won’t push it. Same for my daughter.
Q: Why do you wear #7?
AN: My father was a complicated man, but the best thing he ever did for me was instill a love of hockey. I wear #7 as a tribute to him.
Q: Do you ever plan to return to Sweden?
AN: Move there? No. My wife and children are here, my life is here.
Q: Do you enjoy playing against your brother?
AN: No.
Q: Do you think your brother is a skilled player?
AN: Yes. He’s one of the hardest forwards to defend against.
LARS NILSSON
That brings us to our very own Nilsson. Lars was born in 1998, the year his father won the Cup for the first time and so was dubbed Mats’s “lucky charm.” Mats would win it again three years later.
Lars was only five when his parents died, twelve when his brother moved overseas for good, and eighteen when his grandfather (the man who effectively raised him) passed away. Despite the personal losses he faced in his youth—or perhaps because of them—he threw himself into hockey and became a remarkable player at a young age. He played for Team Sweden in the World Junior Championship twice, winning a silver and gold medal.
He was drafted by the Portland Prowlers and won the Calder his rookie year. Unlike his brother, he had to wait three years before lifting the Cup (and earning the Conn Smythe), but he was able to do it again two years later. With more years left in his career, he no doubt hopes to hoist the Cup again…and solidify his lead over Anders.
Q: What do you think your father would think of you being a forward?
Lars Nilsson: He would look at my stats and be proud. Can’t argue with results.
Q: Why do you wear #14?
LN: Because I’m twice as good as Anders.
Q: Do you enjoy playing against your brother?
LN: Yes. I like reminding him I’m better. I do my best work against Anders.
Q: Do you think your brother’s a skilled defenseman?
LN: Sure. It wouldn’t be fun scoring against him if he weren’t.
LARS VS ANDERS: BY THE NUMBERS
The brothers have earned a combined three Stanley Cups, one gold medal, three silver medals, and one bronze medal. They’ve each won the Calder Trophy (best rookie) and the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP, which Lars has won twice). Anders has won the Norris Trophy twice (best defenseman); Lars has won the Rocket Richard Trophy twice (most goals) and the Art Ross Trophy (most points).
The brothers have faced each other 12 times since Lars’s NHL debut. In those 12 matchups, they have a combined 48 PIM (Penalty Infraction Minutes), 6 goals, 9 assists, 12 blocked shots, 18 hits, and 4 fights. The games themselves? An even 50:50 split.
Tomorrow’s matchup will be lucky game 13 for the Nilssons. Now that Lars is in the Eastern Conference, we get to enjoy the two brothers facing each other at least three times a season. It’s anyone’s guess how that’ll go for either brother or either team, but one thing’s for sure: it’ll be an exciting game to watch.