"Sudden": Gets incredible respect for his parents

For two decades, Mats Sundin stood in the center – as a celebrated star in Toronto and Tre Kronor. After his career, the hockey legend has kept a significantly lower profile. Now he tells us about why and how life after his career has looked like.

» Published: October 18 2024

"Sudden": Gets incredible respect for his parents
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Many of Sundin's former colleagues have chosen to stay in the spotlight after their careers.

Peter "Foppa" Forsberg has been a TV expert for many years and has participated in several TV series. Henrik Lundqvist has long been the face of hair care products and has also worked as an expert. And Nicklas Lidström works for his old NHL club Detroit.

If Mats Sundin has been more quiet. After his career, he has instead chosen to focus on his family life, together with his wife and their three children.

I don't know if my absence from the media is something conscious, really. It's more because I've had three children since my career ended. So that takes up most of my time, says Sundin.

The importance of parents

In his new autobiography "Tur och Retur: My Story", written together with Amy Stuart, Sundin looks back on his life. He writes, among other things, about his childhood, particularly how his parents supported him.

You get an incredible respect for your parents when you have children of your own, seeing how much they put in and drove around. I often think about what it gave me and my brothers to grow up with such supportive parents. As a parent, you try to live up to that.

In recent years, the circle has been closed. "Sudden" has taken over the role of hockey parent.

It's damn fun, but it's a lot of work. I'm often at the kids' hockey practices. So life in the ice rinks has continued, but in a different role.

Is it hard not to interfere too much and become a coach?

No, it's been easy, actually. I think it's fun to just watch. Seeing the teams, despite being so young, having so much passion for ice hockey is fun to see.

"Feels good to give back"

But it's not just hockey practices and family dinners that fill up his daily life. Sundin also devotes his time to a research project.

I work a lot with a foundation, which I have together with the University of Toronto and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Since I played most of my career in Toronto and grew up in Stockholm, it feels good to give back to those places.

Do you ever get tired of hockey, after a whole career?

I didn't play hockey for a very long time, I was a bit tired of it. But now I actually play one day a week, we're a few former NHL, SHL, and HockeyAllsvenskan players who play. It's just as much fun today as when I was active. So now the days when you get to let loose a bit are sacred, says Sundin and laughs.

Born: February 13, 1971, in Bromma.

Lives: in Djursholm with his family.

Family: Wife Josephine and children Bonnie, Natanael, and Julian.

Main merits: First European to be drafted as number one in the NHL (1989), World Championship gold in Finland 1991, World Championship gold in Czechoslovakia 1992, World Championship gold in Switzerland 1998, Olympic gold in Italy 2006, only Swede to score over 500 goals in the NHL, most points of all time in Toronto, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.

Current: With the new autobiography "Tur och Retur: My Story", written together with Amy Stuart.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match
1 MIN READ

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match as Bottle Thrown on Field

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener
1 MIN READ

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener with Ineffective Power Play

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's
1 MIN READ

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's Win Over Man United

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as
1 MIN READ

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as Saka Returns for Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures
1 MIN READ

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated
1 MIN READ

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated Offside Tech Next Week

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension
1 MIN READ

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension of Five Players After Detroit-Minnesota Game

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for
1 MIN READ

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for Season After Debut Injury

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge
3 MIN READ

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge as Sweden Prepares for Euro 2024

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train as Leaders' Bans Continue

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff Exit; Club Legend Jönsson Set to Return

Haaland Expected to Return in
1 MIN READ

Haaland Expected to Return in 5-7 Weeks After Foot Injury

Experts Propose Global Sports Body
2 MIN READ

Experts Propose Global Sports Body to Tackle Corruption and Crime

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves Russia to Compete for Australia

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent
1 MIN READ

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent Minnesota's Second Loss to New Jersey

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third Straight Win at World Championship

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety
2 MIN READ

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety in Hockey Equipment Industry

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines in Miami's Victory Over Washington

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot
1 MIN READ

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot Injury, City Hopes for Season Return

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated
2 MIN READ

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated Semifinal Against Djurgården

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda
3 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda to Semifinals

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK
2 MIN READ

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK Victory at Gamla Ullevi

Swedish Referees Selected for European
1 MIN READ

Swedish Referees Selected for European Championship Duty

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery Following Polish Speedway Crash

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts
2 MIN READ

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts as Billionaire Withdraws Sponsorship

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost
2 MIN READ

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost Arsenal Ahead of Fulham Clash

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle
3 MIN READ

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle Larsson for European Basketball Championship

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse
3 MIN READ

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations in Court

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash

Haaland Injured in City's FA
1 MIN READ

Haaland Injured in City's FA Cup Win Over Bournemouth

Omar Faraj Scores Five as
2 MIN READ

Omar Faraj Scores Five as Degerfors Triumphs Over Halmstad

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National
1 MIN READ

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National Team for Nations League

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby
2 MIN READ

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby Dominates IFK Göteborg 4-0