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This Day in Hockey History

SB/JP / Reuters

1997 - Sundin gets the "C" in Toronto

Prior to the 1997-98 NHL season, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mats Sundin is named the 16th captain in franchise history. He follows in the skate marks of the tremendously popular Doug Gilmour, and becomes the first European captain in the history of the club.

Sundin was acquired by the Maple Leafs in a trade with the Quebec Nordiques in 1994. The Nordiques sent Sundin, Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner in exchange for Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson. The teams also swapped first-round Draft picks.

The Swede led the team in scoring for eight consecutive seasons, and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference finals in 1999 and 2000.

Sundin finished his tenure with the club as the franchise leader in goals (420) and total points (987), ranking second in assists behind only countryman Borje Salming.

On Feb. 11, 2012, Sundin's number 13 jersey was honoured by the organization in a ceremony prior to a home game against the Montreal Canadiens. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame later that year alongside Joe Sakic, Adam Oates and Pavel Bure.

Birthdays

1982 - Ryane Clowe

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