Sundin began his NHL career with the Quebec Nordiques who selected him first overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.

Mats Johan Sundin was born February 13, 1971 in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden. Having starred locally, the 17-year-old Sundin joined Djurgardens IF Stockholm in the Swedish Junior League in 1987-88. He played the following season with Nacka HK in the Sweden second-tier Allsvenskan league and then led Djurgardens IF in the Elitserien to the Le Mat Trophy championship in 1989-90.

Sundin was drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first European-born player ever drafted first overall through NHL history. Mats debuted with the Nordiques during the 1990-91 season, scoring his first NHL goal in his first game.

After four seasons in Quebec, Sundin was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in June of 1994.

The Toronto Maple Leafs shocked their fans, trading the immensely popular Wendel Clark as well as Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and a first round draft pick to Quebec in June 1994, receiving Sundin, Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and a first round draft pick in return.

Sundin's debut with Toronto was delayed due to the NHL lock-out. He returned to Sweden to play for Djurgardens IF. When the NHL season resumed, Sundin's presence was felt immediately as he led Toronto in scoring through the shortened season.

Sundin served as Maple Leafs captain for over a decade, making him the longest-serving non-North American-born captain in National Hockey League history.

In 2001-02, Sundin finished fourth in NHL scoring with 80 points, including 41 goals. Shortly after the 2006-07 season had begun, Sundin became the 35th player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal plateau. The next season would be his last as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mats led the Maple Leafs in scoring in twelve of the thirteen seasons he played in Toronto. He stands as the all-time Leaf leader in goals (420) and points (984).

On the international stage, Sundin served as captain of the gold medal-winning Swedish team at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

At a media conference held on September 30, 2009 in Stockholm, Mats Sundin announced his retirement. Sundin retired having scored 564 goals, 785 assists and 1,349 points in 1,346 regular season NHL games. He added 38 goals and 44 assists for 82 points in 91 playoff contests. He was a Second Team All-Star in 2002 and 2004 and was awarded the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2008. To honour an extraordinary career, the Toronto Maple Leafs raised Mats's number 13 to the rafters in February 2012.

At the time of his retirement, Sundin stood as the Toronto Maple Leafs all-time franchise leader in goals (420) and points (987).

A quiet leader, the durable Sundin is regarded as one of the finest Swedes to have played in the National Hockey League, and one of the greatest Toronto Maple Leafs of all-time.