Updated at 00.50 | Published on 00.47
Everyone knows that Mats Sundin, 52, is an icon of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Little did they know he would show up in the locker room.
“We had no idea,” says William Nylander.
Sudden played 13 consecutive seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was the team captain for 10 of them.
Nowadays, the club icon lives in Stockholm – and of course he went to the Globes when Toronto took on the Detroit Red Wings in the capital on Friday night.
Yes, he actually reached out to William Nylander and his teammates in the blue and white locker room before going down.
– Leadership for the National Front! “Make us proud,” Sundin said after he was given the task of presenting the starting lineup for the team.
Nylander surprised: “I have no idea”
William Nylander was then behind Toronto’s late turnaround from 0-2 to 3-2 with a goal and two assists.
– It was a special evening for all of us Swedes. At least given the Maple Leafs’ history with Swedish players, Nylander says.
Did you know Mats was going to read the lineup?
– No, we had no idea about that. It was very special that he came in and made the lineup. Sadly we had such a slow start to the game, haha.
His teammate Calle Jarnkrok was also surprised.
-He was an idol when I was growing up. Han, Fuba, Lidstrom, etc. He’s a legend in Toronto, at least.
“Awesome – really awesome”
Toronto coach Sheldon tells how they came up with the idea over dinner yesterday. Canadiens star John Tavares grew up a Maple Leafs fan and was moved by the moment.
– It was great. It was really cold. Especially for us young Ontario guys who loved him growing up. I am the captain today and I am inspired by the way he led the team. I try to emulate some of the parts he did really well. Tavares: A special player and a special person.
