The now 54-year-old Sundin became Swedish champion with Djurgården in the spring of 1990 before leaving for a successful NHL career that spanned 18 seasons, 13 of which in Toronto where he was team captain for eleven years.
Sundin won the gold during a time when Djurgården was leading in Sweden and won three straight Swedish Championship gold medals.
The Stockholm team has not won Swedish Championship gold since 2001 – but the return to the SHL has given hope for future success.
“Very good foundation”
Mats Sundin pays tribute to sports director Niklas Wikegård, who he believes has recreated the culture that gave Djurgården the nickname "The Iron Furnaces" in the 1950s.
Above all, to bring in this identity that existed the year I won the Swedish Championship gold, this ironclad culture. That you are a strong team, the work ethic is there both in training and matches, and you don't lose because of will. I think Niklas has been very good at bringing that culture back into the locker room and into the organization. It's a very good foundation to stand on when you play long seasons, says Sundin in connection with a press conference.
Djurgården is in fourth place heading into Saturday's round, the last before the international break, when Djurgården hosts Brynäs in a sold-out Globen.
Paying tribute to the juniors
Sundin highlights the youngsters, the junior trio Anton Frondell (8 goals + 2 assists), Victor Eklund (0 + 7) and Viggo Björck (1 + 3).
They are very young and they are only at the beginning of their careers. If they manage to play at the level that the SHL is, the highest level in Europe, it will be very exciting to see how they develop in the next few years. Then the whole team building that Niklas has succeeded in. Djurgården has had a very exciting start to this season.
