Sometimes it is about the name on the back of the jersey.

When you talk about projected top 10 NHL Draft pick Alexander Nylander, it’s difficult to avoid mention of his family. His father, Michael, played for seven NHL teams over 15 seasons and his brother, William, is one of the most anticipated prospects in the Toronto Maple Leafs system.

The Nylander name is what makes the average hockey fan instantly take notice of Alexander, but his future will be impacted by more than just his DNA.

Alex was named rookie of the year for both the OHL and CHL this season, his first in North America after crossing over from AIK in Sweden, but he still surprised some with his performance at the Scouting Combine in June. Sportsnet’s Gare Joyce named him one of the “winners” coming out of that weekend, but given that Alex’s dad is also his conditioning coach, maybe this shouldn’t have been such a surprise.

Rather than stay in Sweden to play professionally, as brother William did in his draft year, Alex chose to play with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads, where his father is an assistant coach.

“There can be a lot of criticism when players are coached by their parents, but I can tell you, in Alex’s case, he doesn’t get away with anything,” says James Boyd, head coach of the Steelheads. “The thumb is firmly pressed down. Alex is being watched all the time, not only by the fans and media, but by his father.

“Watching him in practice every day, he’s the most skilled player I’ve seen in my years of coaching, and I think that’s a direct result of Michael’s influence.”