3. The History of Mats Sundin

Mats Johan Sundin was born February 13, 1971 in Bromma, Sweden. Mats Sundin "Captain Clutch" is the Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mats is the all time NHL leader in overtime goals (15) and the Leafs all-time leader in goals and points. In 1989 Mats Sundin was drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques. Sundin was previously playing for Nacka Hk of the Swedish Allsvenskan a tier two league.

Before Sundin made his much anticipated debut with Quebec he spent a year in the Elitserien for Djurgardens IF. Sundin's team won the league that year. The next year (1990-1991 season) Sundin began his NHL career. Sundin had a good first season and ended up with 59 points just behind teamm leader Joe Sakic. He played 80 games, scored 23 goals, notched 36 assists and 58 penalty minutes. Two years later Sundin had his best season of his career so far. He scored 47 goals, 67 assists totalling a whopping 114 points.

On June 28, 1994 a huge trade was made that brought Sundin to the hockey capital of Canada, Toronto. The Nodiques gave Toronto Sundin as well as Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and a first round draft pick. In return Toronto gave away fan favourite and team captain Wendel Clark, along with Wendel Clark, Sylvaine Lefebvre and Landon Wilson.

The fans in Toronto immediately welcomed Sundin with open arms and Sundin loved the city. In 1997 Sundin was named captain. Sundin reported that before he accepted he spoke to former Leaf and fellow Swede Borje Salming. Salming told Mats that when he was offered the captaincy he declined and that it was something that he regretted always. It was then that Mats knew he should accept. By accepting Mats Sundin became the first Leaf captain to be from anywhere outside of Canada.

On October 14, 2006 Sundin scored his 500th goal against Mikka Kiprusoff and the Calgary Flames. The goal was scored in overtime, short-handed and also happened to be his third goal of the game. On October 11, 2007 Sundin scored his 390th goal as a leaf and broke Darryl Sittler's record for both goals and points. He was named first second and third star of the game.

Sundin also had an illustrious international career with an olympic gold in Turin 2006 and 3 World Hockey Championships while holding the position of captain for most of the last ten years.

Sundin is one of the most skilled Leafs in history and he broke many records. He will always be remembered in Leaf nation as someone who carried himself with great pride and respect and someone who always gave back to the community.

Roboito

Mats Sundin tastes gold at the Turin 2006

Winter Olympics along with fellow teammate

Peter Forsberg