Mats Sundin: First Game as a Leaf, Now his Last?

Growing up in Toronto, it’s hard not to at least follow the Leafs, even when you’re not a Leaf fan (as I’m not!).  I was always a hater of former captain Wendel Clark, which when said out loud in any Toronto bar, could get you shot, or worse.

During the 1994-95 draft (at the ripe age of 12) I vividly remember being at a condo in South Florida with my parents, watching the draft and seeing that captain Wendel Clark had been traded for youngster Mats Sundin.  Needless to say, I was a happy young boy.

Fast forward a few months, I was lucky enough to get tickets to the Toronto Maples Leafs first exebition game after a long NHLPA strike.  Typically those kinds of game are never notable, except this was the first time Mats Sundin would suit up in a Maple Leafs blue and white.

I don’t remember much of the game, but what I remember most vividly was the game being tied 3-3 and Mats scoring the overtime winner.  “Captain Clutch” was born.  No single NHL player has score more overtime goals than Captain Clutch, that’s a worth record, certainly one that Leaf fans should be proud of (and more aware of!).

Sundin has now announced that he will not be playing in the Leafs final two games due to injury and frankly, this could be the end of Mats’ career (if not his career, at least with the Leafs).

As someone who has followed Mats from the start of his Leafs career right to the end; from someone who isn’t a real Leafs fan, but always routes for Mats when he’s on the ice; from someone who can say Mats Sundin is a true class player and has served this hockey market and it’s fan with dignity; it’s only suiting that #13’s final season as a Maple Leaf, may be his 13th.