Mats Sundin Siblings: All About Patrick and Per Sundin

Mats Johan Sundin, born on February 13, 1971, in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden, is a retired professional ice hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest Swedish players in NHL history.

Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 231 pounds, Sundin’s imposing presence as a center, combined with his skillful play, made him a standout figure in the sport.

He holds the distinction of being the first European-born player selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft in 1989 by the Quebec Nordiques and served as the longest-serving non-North American-born captain in NHL history, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs for 11 seasons.

His 18-year NHL career, marked by consistency, leadership, and a prolific scoring record, has cemented his legacy as a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and a trailblazer for European players in the league.

Siblings

Mats has two siblings, namely Patrick Sundin and Per Sundin.

Mats grew up in a close-knit family in Bromma, Sweden, with his parents, Gunilla and Tommy Sundin, and the two brothers.

In his memoir, Home and Away, co-authored with Amy Stuart, Sundin recounts skating on a lake near their family home with his older brother, chasing him for hours in the Scandinavian winters, which helped hone his skills from a young age.

The three Sundin brothers also played hockey in their driveway, imagining themselves as stars of Sweden’s national team, scoring game-winning goals against rivals like the Soviet Union.

Career

Sundin’s hockey journey began in Sweden, where he showcased his talent early on with local teams.

At 17, he joined Djurgårdens IF Stockholm in the Swedish Junior League, and by the 1989-90 season, he led the team to a Swedish Elite League championship, earning the Le Mat Trophy.

His standout performances caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his historic selection as the first overall pick by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.

Sundin debuted with the Nordiques in the 1990-91 season, scoring his first NHL goal in his first game and finishing second on the team with 59 points.

Over four seasons with Quebec, he established himself as one of the league’s premier young talents, achieving a career-high 114 points in the 1992-93 season.

In June 1994, Sundin was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a blockbuster deal that sent fan-favorite Wendel Clark to Quebec.

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The trade marked the beginning of Sundin’s iconic tenure with the Maple Leafs, where he would spend 13 seasons and become the franchise’s all-time leader in goals (420) and points (987).

Named captain in 1997, Sundin became the first European to hold the role for Toronto and led the team through multiple playoff appearances.

His best season with the Leafs came in 1996-97, when he scored 41 goals and 94 points, finishing seventh in NHL scoring.

Sundin’s leadership and consistency were evident as he led the Leafs in scoring in 12 of his 13 seasons with the team.

In 2006, he became the first Swedish player to score 500 NHL goals, and in 2007, he broke franchise records for goals and points previously set by Darryl Sittler.

After the 2007-08 season, Sundin became a free agent and, after a brief hiatus, signed with the Vancouver Canucks for the 2008-09 season.

Although his time in Vancouver was short, he contributed 28 points in 41 regular-season games and eight points in eight playoff games.

Sundin announced his retirement in September 2009 in Stockholm, ending an illustrious career with 564 goals, 785 assists, and 1,349 points in 1,346 NHL regular-season games, along with 82 points in 91 playoff contests.

On the international stage, Sundin represented Sweden with distinction, captaining the national team to Olympic gold in 2006 in Turin, Italy.

He also won three IIHF World Championship gold medals (1991, 1992, 1998) and competed in multiple World Championships, World Cups of Hockey, and Olympics, earning All-Star honors in several tournaments.

Accolades

In the NHL, Sundin was named to the Second All-Star Team in 2002 and 2004 and received the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2008 for his exemplary leadership.

He was selected to nine NHL All-Star Games (1996–2002, 2004), showcasing his status as one of the league’s elite players.

Sundin holds Toronto Maple Leafs franchise records for goals (420) and points (987), and his number 13 was retired by the team in February 2012, a testament to his enduring legacy.

His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012 further solidified his place among hockey’s all-time greats.

Internationally, Sundin’s achievements are equally impressive.

He won Olympic gold in 2006, captaining Sweden to victory, and earned All-Star honors at the 2002 Olympics.

He secured three World Championship gold medals (1991, 1992, 1998), with All-Star Team selections in 1992 and 2003, and a silver medal in 2003.

Sundin was also named to the Canada Cup All-Star Team in 1991 and the World Cup of Hockey All-Star Team in 1996.

In Sweden, he won the TV-pucken Championship with Team Stockholm in 1986 and the Swedish Elite League championship in 1990.