The Maple Leafs and Blackhawks held media availabilities at the United Center on Sunday afternoon.

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When William Nylander skates by the Chicago Blackhawks bench on Sunday night, he will see a familiar face. Anders Sörensen, who took over as Blackhawks interim head coach in December, coached Nylander during his minor hockey days and remains a family friend.

Although that friendship will be on pause when the pair reunite inside the United Center.

"We'll be friends after," Sörensen said with a smile.

Sörensen settled in the Chicago area after his playing days and ended up mentoring a six-year-old Nylander while his dad played for the Blackhawks.

Sörensen was also a coach with Södertälje SK when both Nylander and his father, Michael Nylander, played for the Swedish club during the 2012-13 season. Sörensen also worked with Nylander the next season, which is when their paths diverged.

But they continue to be close and exchanged messages most recently during the 4 Nations Face-Off when Nylander was playing for Sweden.

Any favourite memory from over the years?

"He's just a really good person," Sörensen said. "The biggest thing is the way he treats my kids. He's great to them. He checks with them. Texts them, talks to them, so that's probably the biggest thing if you're looking at memories. That's impressive."

This season Sörensen emerged as the first Swedish born head coach in NHL history. Meanwhile, Nylander has emerged as a star with the Leafs. He arrives in Chicago with 33 goals, which is second in the league.

"He keeps growing," said Sörensen.........

© TSN