Sweden's greatest NHL centre — 11 seasons as Toronto Maple Leafs captain and 564 career goals.
Mats Johan Sundin was born in Bromma, Sweden in 1971. Quebec Nordiques selected him first overall in the 1989 NHL Draft — the first European player ever drafted first overall. His career produced 564 goals and 785 assists for 1,349 points. He spent 13 seasons as the Toronto Maple Leafs' franchise player and captain — the longest captaincy in franchise history. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012 and named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. He won Olympic silver with Sweden in 2002 and gold in 2006. His decision to refuse a trade from Toronto at the deadline despite the team's inability to compete — citing loyalty to the franchise — generated enormous debate in Canada about player loyalty versus championship pursuit. He is the most decorated Swedish player in NHL history by career points and the most celebrated Maple Leafs player of the modern era despite never winning a Stanley Cup with the franchise.
Hall of Fame (2012)
Career Honours
- Hall of Fame (2012)
- NHL 100 Greatest Players
- Olympic Silver Medal (Sweden 2002)