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Mats Sundin, Captain of Toronto Maple Leafs, Considers Joining NYC Floorball!
NYC Floorball catches up with Mats Sundin doing his favorite pastime, fishing in his native Sweden, before the approaching NHL season.
NYC Floorball -- First of all, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions! We thought we would start with some background questions.
NYC Floorball -- Where did you grow up, and did you play any floorball as a kid (in school, the community center, or the parking lot)?
MS -- I was raised in Sollentuna, a suburb of Stockholm, and played floorball throughout my childhood.
NYC Floorball -- How old were you when you started to play ice hockey, and in what clubs did you play?
MS -- I was five years old when I started; Sollentuna HC, Djurgårdens IF, Nacka HC, Quebec Nordiques, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
NYC Floorball -- Most people probably know that you currently are the Captain of Toronto Maple Leafs, but is this your first assignment as a Captain in your career?
MS -- My first Captain's assignment was for Stockholm's "TV-Puck" team (the city team). We won the tournament and the year was 1986.
NYC Floorball -- Moving forward to the present time; how do you prepare for the approaching hockey season?
MS -- I do off-season training, including cardiovascular and strength exercises five days per week. In the beginning of September, the team will start practicing in Toronto.
NYC Floorball -- Have you, by any chance, planned on playing any floorball with your old pals in Sweden over the summer?
MS -- Nothing planned, but I will probably play a little with my brother's son in the driveway in front of the garage.
NYC Floorball -- What are your objectives for the coming season?
MS -- My goal is to win the Stanley Cup.
NYC Floorball -- How many years do you think that you will continue to play in the NHL?
MS -- For as long as I have fun, and feel motivated.
NYC Floorball -- Are you considering eventually finishing your hockey career in Sweden?
MS -- Don't know, I'll have to see about that. It depends on how the old noggin and body hold up, and if I have the motivation.
NYC Floorball -- Now some more floorball-specific questions. Let's begin by asking if you have ever seen an elite-league floorball game?
MS -- Unfortunately not.
NYC Floorball -- By the way, did you know that the all 16,000 seats in Stockholm's Globe Arena were sold out at this year's floorball championship final?
MS -- Yes, I heard, fantastic.
NYC Floorball -- With 230,000 licensed players, it's not an overstatement to say that floorball has broken through for real in Sweden?
MS -- Floorball has been popular for quite a while in Sweden, but has now started to grow even outside, which is great!
NYC Floorball -- As you know, we have not yet reached that level of popularity west of the Atlantic, but do you have any thoughts on how the sport could be promoted here in the US and in Canada?
MS -- Well it's all about showing off the sport and raising the profile, thereby enticing people to start playing floorball. You seem to be on the right track.
NYC Floorball -- We would like to finish by thanking you once again for taking the time to answer our questions, and by asking if you would consider capping off your career with a couple of seasons for NYC Floorball?
MS -- It's possible, but highly unlikely.
MS -- Good luck!!
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