NHL History: Mats Sundin sets NHL goal record for Swedish-born players
It was on this day in 2002 that @Toronto Maple Leafs captain, Mats Sundin, set a new record for Swedish-born players with his 395th career goal.
On April 6th, 2002, Mats Sundin’s second period goal against the @Florida Panthers not only tied the game at two apiece but also broke the record set by Tomas Sandstrom for most NHL goals scored by a Swedish-born player. Set in 1964, Sandstrom’s record stood for nearly 30 years before Sundin registered his 395th career goal, setting a new benchmark for his fellow countrymen to chase.
As of this writing, Mats Sundin still holds the record for most goals by a Swede after retiring with 564, which is 120 more than the second place Daniel Alfredsson. The nearest Swedish-born players that are currently in the hunt for Sundin’s record of 564 career goals include @Loui Eriksson (250), @Alex Steen (245), and @Nicklas Backstrom (243). Though, those three players obviously still have a long ways to go.
SUNDIN’S 2002 NHL SEASON
Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PGP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001-02 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 82 | 41 | 39 | 80 | 94 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
NHL Totals | 1346 | 564 | 785 | 1349 | 1093 | 91 | 38 | 44 | 82 | 74 |
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