Gary Nylund (born October 28, 1963 in Surrey, British Columbia) is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 608 National Hockey League games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders. Nylund appeared to be the complete package on defence when he joined the NHL in 1982. The 6'4" defenceman was a punishing hitter whose mobility and passing ability far exceeded most big men in the game. A knee injury suffered as a rookie curtailed his development and he ended up being a role player in eleven NHL seasons, rather than a star.