"When Mats Sundin was selected first overall by the floundering Quebec Nordiques in 1989, few knew what to make of the selection. The franchise was struggling, finding themselves in last place with the first overall pick three times (Sundin, Owen Nolan, Eric Lindros). How could a Swede, thought to be soft thanks to the media at the time, lead one of hockey's worst franchises out of the shadows? Quebec never found out. Despite a few short stellar years in Quebec, the enigmatic Sundin was shipped off to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal that included former captain Wendel Clark. There, the tall, lanky, unpretentious, and warm European found himself immersed in the fiery cauldron of the Toronto faithful. How did Sundin feel about the trade? About his new city? About taking on the mantle of the captainship? The boy from outside Stockholm became a man in Toronto. Here, he shares for the first time what it was like for him to bounce from franchise to franchise until he found his new home with the Maple Leafs. Sundin grew into a superstar, and the humble hero became a fan favourite, always giving his time to the youngest in the crowd. He shares in these pages stories he's never told anyone about his life in hockey, about how the quiet and thoughtful centre became the nucleus of a Leafs team on the verge of a Stanley Cup final appearance that never came. But Sundin's leadership won over a tough team of stars and an even tougher group of fans to become one of the most popular Maple Leafs of all time. What really happened in the dressing room over the years? How did Sundin interact with teammates, foes, and family? What was it like to play with Tie Domi, Gary Roberts, Curtis Joseph, and others? How did he feel about being part of a team with such high expectations? How did he survive in an ecosphere of violence with his game full of finesse? What made Mats Sundin who he was on the ice, and the man he has now become? He talks for the first time about what it was like to leave Toronto for Vancouver and to return "home" to Toronto for the first time, illuminating his backstory and the new story of how he became the reluctant leader. Why did he wear the #13? (You'll have to read the book to find out.) What's it like to be a huge fish in a small pond in Stockholm after his stellar NHL career? What do his kids think of their dad and his success? Sundin tells all with equal amounts of class and humour."-- Provided by publisher.