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Home and Away
A Simon & Schuster Canada book. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 22, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 21, 2024
Wow! The first chapter was exciting you could feel the emotion of his return to Toronto. Sundin has always been a quiet leader who was monumental to the Leafs team. He played 13 seasons, captain and a fan favourite. In a time before social media, it was great to know more about his time before and during his hockey career. He will always be my favourite player, so it was an emotional read at the end. Watching many of the moments on tv and hearing it from his perspective was nice. I did cry but I was expecting myself to! Loved the book and will always love Sundin
October 28, 2024
I recently finished reading Home and Away by Mats Sundin, a book I devoured in less than 24 hours. As a busy mom of two hockey-playing boys, a business owner, and a AA hockey team manager, finding time for myself can be a challenge. This weekend, I was grateful to have been away at a hockey tournament with my oldest son, Nikolas where I was afforded the time and space to take in this book I had been eagerly awaiting to digest.
Home and Away is a captivating memoir that offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of one of hockey’s most iconic players, Mats Sundin.
The narrative is infused with Sundin’s professional achievements and personal reflections. His humility and sincerity, provide readers with an intimate look at his experiences on and off the ice. His anecdotes are not only entertaining but also offer valuable insights into the mindset of a top athlete. The book’s structure effortlessly transitions between Sundin’s life in Sweden and his illustrious career in the NHL, painting a vivid picture of his journey from a young child in Europe to a globally renowned hockey legend.
I vividly recall my first encounter with Mats after a Leaf game. We had driven 2.5 hours from my hometown of Belleville to Toronto for my birthday and by sheer luck, we crossed paths as he headed toward a taxi waiting for him. He graciously signed my Sundin jersey just below my left collarbone, marking a moment I would cherish forever.
The following year on October 28, 1998, brought another memorable meeting. I attended a Meet the Leafs Luncheon where Mats graciously posed for a photograph with me. My excitement was palpable, akin to meeting royalty, which, in the hockey world, he certainly was.
Over the years, I attended several more Maple Leaf games and even travelled to Buffalo in 2004 to watch him play against the Sabres the day after his birthday.
Another unforgettable encounter occurred on February 17th, 2008 at the Leafs Have a Heart dinner, where Mats prepared a risotto that surpassed anything I’d ever tasted. We exchanged pleasantries, and I managed, with varying success, to contain my enthusiasm.
Reading Home and Away was such a pleasure, especially when Mats mentioned my hometown of Belleville and Branko Radivojevic, my favourite Belleville Bull hockey player. These small connections made the vast world of hockey feel a bit more intimate.
As a very long-time fan of Sundin, I found myself getting quite emotional throughout reading as I was remembering parts of my life in moments where he was writing about his. How deeply I followed his career and how I remembered so much of what he wrote about. So many incredible memories. How seemingly quick we were to arrive here in this moment. Those days sometimes feel like ions ago yet like yesterday at the same time. I fondly remember Sundin with his flowy blonde hair and smooth, youthful face. Time has transformed him, his bald head now complements his tall stature, and the lines around his eyes and forehead reflect the distinguished man he has become. His presence still commands a room with a powerful yet gentle demeanour.
Of all the incredible athletes in the world, I am grateful that my heart was drawn to Mats Sundin 30 years ago. He has unknowingly been instrumental in shaping my life. If not for him and his incredible gift as a hockey player, I might never have developed my passion for hockey or made significant connections in the hockey world. My siblings, inspired by my passion, also embraced the sport. My sister even earned a hockey scholarship to play at the University of Superior in Wisconsin.
And finally, perhaps most significantly, my overwhelming love for hockey was one of the key reasons I wasn't able to envision my life in Greece. The passion and community I found within the sport anchored me to a path that led me to where I am today. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
Thank you, Mats and Amy Stuart, for bringing this incredible story to the world. Home and Away is more than just a memoir; it's a testament to the power of perseverance, and the joy found in pursuing one's passion. Whether you're reliving the glory days of the Toronto Maple Leafs or discovering Sundin's legacy for the first time, this book is a must-read.
Home and Away is a captivating memoir that offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of one of hockey’s most iconic players, Mats Sundin.
The narrative is infused with Sundin’s professional achievements and personal reflections. His humility and sincerity, provide readers with an intimate look at his experiences on and off the ice. His anecdotes are not only entertaining but also offer valuable insights into the mindset of a top athlete. The book’s structure effortlessly transitions between Sundin’s life in Sweden and his illustrious career in the NHL, painting a vivid picture of his journey from a young child in Europe to a globally renowned hockey legend.
I vividly recall my first encounter with Mats after a Leaf game. We had driven 2.5 hours from my hometown of Belleville to Toronto for my birthday and by sheer luck, we crossed paths as he headed toward a taxi waiting for him. He graciously signed my Sundin jersey just below my left collarbone, marking a moment I would cherish forever.
The following year on October 28, 1998, brought another memorable meeting. I attended a Meet the Leafs Luncheon where Mats graciously posed for a photograph with me. My excitement was palpable, akin to meeting royalty, which, in the hockey world, he certainly was.
Over the years, I attended several more Maple Leaf games and even travelled to Buffalo in 2004 to watch him play against the Sabres the day after his birthday.
Another unforgettable encounter occurred on February 17th, 2008 at the Leafs Have a Heart dinner, where Mats prepared a risotto that surpassed anything I’d ever tasted. We exchanged pleasantries, and I managed, with varying success, to contain my enthusiasm.
Reading Home and Away was such a pleasure, especially when Mats mentioned my hometown of Belleville and Branko Radivojevic, my favourite Belleville Bull hockey player. These small connections made the vast world of hockey feel a bit more intimate.
As a very long-time fan of Sundin, I found myself getting quite emotional throughout reading as I was remembering parts of my life in moments where he was writing about his. How deeply I followed his career and how I remembered so much of what he wrote about. So many incredible memories. How seemingly quick we were to arrive here in this moment. Those days sometimes feel like ions ago yet like yesterday at the same time. I fondly remember Sundin with his flowy blonde hair and smooth, youthful face. Time has transformed him, his bald head now complements his tall stature, and the lines around his eyes and forehead reflect the distinguished man he has become. His presence still commands a room with a powerful yet gentle demeanour.
Of all the incredible athletes in the world, I am grateful that my heart was drawn to Mats Sundin 30 years ago. He has unknowingly been instrumental in shaping my life. If not for him and his incredible gift as a hockey player, I might never have developed my passion for hockey or made significant connections in the hockey world. My siblings, inspired by my passion, also embraced the sport. My sister even earned a hockey scholarship to play at the University of Superior in Wisconsin.
And finally, perhaps most significantly, my overwhelming love for hockey was one of the key reasons I wasn't able to envision my life in Greece. The passion and community I found within the sport anchored me to a path that led me to where I am today. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
Thank you, Mats and Amy Stuart, for bringing this incredible story to the world. Home and Away is more than just a memoir; it's a testament to the power of perseverance, and the joy found in pursuing one's passion. Whether you're reliving the glory days of the Toronto Maple Leafs or discovering Sundin's legacy for the first time, this book is a must-read.
October 23, 2024
I’m not sure exactly when it was, but I caught the hockey bug hard in the mid-90s. It was then that I fell in love with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the National Hockey League and the sport itself. While I never truly got to play the game myself, I’ve hardly missed a Leafs game over the last few decades, spent too many hours to count playing the video games (from NHLPA 93 to NHL 25), and cheered on my favourite players, including Captain Mats Sundin.
For many of the best years of my fandom, Mats Sundin was the Leafs’ star, leader and voice in the media. As someone who’s quiet, I respected that he wasn’t a seemingly loud leader, and truly enjoyed watching him play. I’d get in arguments with my cousins about how I thought he was the best player the team had ever had, whereas they thought previous captain, Doug Gilmour, was.
I have fond memories of attending games with my parents and friends during that era, and made sure to get a Sundin jersey when I was given a coupon by a season ticket holder I bought tickets off of. Mats also remains my favourite player to this day, despite Auston Matthews’ incredible beginning to his career. Thus, I was happy to hear that he was going to release an autobiography in partnership with author and Leafs fan, Amy Stuart, titled Home and Away.
I was provided an early review copy of this book, and just finished it minutes before beginning this review. I may be biased, but it’s without a doubt the best of its kind that I’ve read, and something that is incredibly easy to recommend. I’m not saying this solely for hockey fans, either; this is a book that is about more than just the sport played on ice, with skates, sticks, pucks and padding. It’s about more than that, and features thoughtful lessons about parenting, being a good person and being a quality teammate. It’ll also appeal to those who are considering, or have already, moved to a completely new part of the world, and everything that comes with it. There’s lots for us hockey fans, though.
Home and Away by Mats Sundin and co-author, Amy Stuart, begins with the night that the longtime Leafs captain and organizational scoring records holder returned as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. After a sad departure from the team, and unfortunate words from some of my fellow fans, he returned to the NHL midway through the next season and managed to score the winning goal against us when the Canucks visited Toronto. Despite my allegiance to the blue and white, I was happy for him and enjoyed the ovations.
This is an interesting place to start such an autobiography, and it brings to mind the title, Home and Away. That’s because, as he says in the book, Mats considers Toronto to be home, at least in conjunction with Sweden, and at one point felt like a guest returning to his home country. The title covers the fact that his career began at home, and flourished away, in a country that became a new home, but I also found that it fit the Vancouver season. It was the first time he’d returned to what was his home city for well over a decade as an ‘away’ team player. I liked that symbolism.
Over the next nearly forty chapters, Mats recounts his childhood, living in a former vacation area wherein his parents put blood, sweat and tears into transforming a hill and building a house, and the beginning of his hockey career. It goes on from there to provide insight, stories and objective facts about what happened during some of his career’s biggest moments, be they playing for Djurgarden, living out his dream of representing Sweden internationally and at the Olympics, and beginning life as an NHL player in Quebec City, as a member of the now defunct Nordiques, before being traded to Toronto for Leafs legend, Wendel Clark. A good portion of this autobiography is, of course, about the years in Toronto, and the off-seasons that followed disappointing playoff bounces that absolutely crushed me as a fan.
I found it very interesting reading about Mats’ relationships with his coaches, backstories about some of my favourite Leafs teams, time spent with teammates and the day-to-day things that fans aren’t privy to. There was a good amount of surprising information, as well. On top of that, I enjoyed hearing about his time in Toronto through his own words, including major events that I still remember watching or reading about.
My family is still unable to get cable, so I had to go my grandparents’ or their neighbour’s to watch almost all games, and ended up listening to some on the radio.
Mats has lived a really interesting life, even without the NHL included. His upbringing, and family vacations, were pretty fascinating to read about. So, too, were his training regiments and his trips to international tournaments.
The writing is quite good. It’s better than average, and was well edited. It’s almost always easy to follow, and doesn’t drag. You won’t be bombarded with stats, or niche terminology, and don’t need to know a lot about hockey to enjoy it.
If you’re a Leafs fan, Home and Away by Mats Sundin and Amy Stuart is a must read. This is also true for anyone with interest in hockey, as well as those who like to read about the lives of others; especially those who’ve lived unique lives and dealt with at least one major move. I was looking forward to this book, and it delivered. I just wish there was more of it.
This review is based on a copy of the book we were provided with.
For many of the best years of my fandom, Mats Sundin was the Leafs’ star, leader and voice in the media. As someone who’s quiet, I respected that he wasn’t a seemingly loud leader, and truly enjoyed watching him play. I’d get in arguments with my cousins about how I thought he was the best player the team had ever had, whereas they thought previous captain, Doug Gilmour, was.
I have fond memories of attending games with my parents and friends during that era, and made sure to get a Sundin jersey when I was given a coupon by a season ticket holder I bought tickets off of. Mats also remains my favourite player to this day, despite Auston Matthews’ incredible beginning to his career. Thus, I was happy to hear that he was going to release an autobiography in partnership with author and Leafs fan, Amy Stuart, titled Home and Away.
I was provided an early review copy of this book, and just finished it minutes before beginning this review. I may be biased, but it’s without a doubt the best of its kind that I’ve read, and something that is incredibly easy to recommend. I’m not saying this solely for hockey fans, either; this is a book that is about more than just the sport played on ice, with skates, sticks, pucks and padding. It’s about more than that, and features thoughtful lessons about parenting, being a good person and being a quality teammate. It’ll also appeal to those who are considering, or have already, moved to a completely new part of the world, and everything that comes with it. There’s lots for us hockey fans, though.
Home and Away by Mats Sundin and co-author, Amy Stuart, begins with the night that the longtime Leafs captain and organizational scoring records holder returned as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. After a sad departure from the team, and unfortunate words from some of my fellow fans, he returned to the NHL midway through the next season and managed to score the winning goal against us when the Canucks visited Toronto. Despite my allegiance to the blue and white, I was happy for him and enjoyed the ovations.
This is an interesting place to start such an autobiography, and it brings to mind the title, Home and Away. That’s because, as he says in the book, Mats considers Toronto to be home, at least in conjunction with Sweden, and at one point felt like a guest returning to his home country. The title covers the fact that his career began at home, and flourished away, in a country that became a new home, but I also found that it fit the Vancouver season. It was the first time he’d returned to what was his home city for well over a decade as an ‘away’ team player. I liked that symbolism.
Over the next nearly forty chapters, Mats recounts his childhood, living in a former vacation area wherein his parents put blood, sweat and tears into transforming a hill and building a house, and the beginning of his hockey career. It goes on from there to provide insight, stories and objective facts about what happened during some of his career’s biggest moments, be they playing for Djurgarden, living out his dream of representing Sweden internationally and at the Olympics, and beginning life as an NHL player in Quebec City, as a member of the now defunct Nordiques, before being traded to Toronto for Leafs legend, Wendel Clark. A good portion of this autobiography is, of course, about the years in Toronto, and the off-seasons that followed disappointing playoff bounces that absolutely crushed me as a fan.
I found it very interesting reading about Mats’ relationships with his coaches, backstories about some of my favourite Leafs teams, time spent with teammates and the day-to-day things that fans aren’t privy to. There was a good amount of surprising information, as well. On top of that, I enjoyed hearing about his time in Toronto through his own words, including major events that I still remember watching or reading about.
My family is still unable to get cable, so I had to go my grandparents’ or their neighbour’s to watch almost all games, and ended up listening to some on the radio.
Mats has lived a really interesting life, even without the NHL included. His upbringing, and family vacations, were pretty fascinating to read about. So, too, were his training regiments and his trips to international tournaments.
The writing is quite good. It’s better than average, and was well edited. It’s almost always easy to follow, and doesn’t drag. You won’t be bombarded with stats, or niche terminology, and don’t need to know a lot about hockey to enjoy it.
If you’re a Leafs fan, Home and Away by Mats Sundin and Amy Stuart is a must read. This is also true for anyone with interest in hockey, as well as those who like to read about the lives of others; especially those who’ve lived unique lives and dealt with at least one major move. I was looking forward to this book, and it delivered. I just wish there was more of it.
This review is based on a copy of the book we were provided with.
December 27, 2024
Easy read but a little bland as far as hockey biographies go. Great young player is drafted first overall and is a great NHL player for 18 years. No drama, no tragedies, no cups, no awards, just stable career and success.
Light on details (agents change without mention, friendships/rivalries mentionned but barely, mentions Don Cherry spewing anti European hate but doesn't really get into it).
Light on details (agents change without mention, friendships/rivalries mentionned but barely, mentions Don Cherry spewing anti European hate but doesn't really get into it).
December 24, 2024
This was a fantastic read as someone who grew up with Mats Sundin being their favourite player. It was really cool to recount so many childhood hockey & Toronto Maple Leaf memories through Mats' perspective as he shared his entire career, and life, with the readers. The book covered a ton of topics, some of which would have been nice to explore further, but to cover a whole life and career in one book is no small task. A must read for any Leafs or hockey fan!))
November 9, 2024
He's my all-time NHLer. I love the insight! GO LEAFS GO!
November 2, 2024
that was genuinely so good i am feeling so emotional. but i still can’t believe this man was just casually dropping names of some of the biggest hockey legends
November 26, 2024
This is an interesting look into the life of my favourite hockey player, but it’s hardly a tell all. This book offers a window into Mats Sundin’s early life and his hockey career, but I was hoping for more juicy tidbits about his time with the Leafs. Instead, this is a fairly safe telling of his time with the team. If you’re looking for the dirt on intra-team rivalries or locker room conflict, this is not place. If you’re looking for a diverting trip down memory lane then this book might be for you.
Read
December 2, 2024I love Mats Sundin so much! I just wish he had narrated the whole thing himself, because you could just feel how much he loved Toronto in the opening chapter
November 16, 2024
Mats was my favourite player growing up so I rate this book with a bias. I was also lucky enough to attend the game in which he returned to Toronto as a Canuck so I was hooked from the very first chapter.
I enjoyed hearing about Sweden and his time in Toronto through his lens. I recommend this book the anyone who is a fan of Mats.
I enjoyed hearing about Sweden and his time in Toronto through his lens. I recommend this book the anyone who is a fan of Mats.
November 24, 2024
Great read about a childhood hero of mine.
November 4, 2024
Read like a Wikipedia page
October 3, 2024
This is hands down better than ALMOST EVERY OTHER sports memoir I’ve read.
Why? Mostly because It doesn’t get completely bogged down in the minutiae of detail around their best every game, or scoring stats, or their favourite fights or the like.
Someone like me - who couldn’t care less about the NHL - actually read the entire book, and quite enjoyed parts of it.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital copy. Apologies for the delay in getting this post up.
Why? Mostly because It doesn’t get completely bogged down in the minutiae of detail around their best every game, or scoring stats, or their favourite fights or the like.
Someone like me - who couldn’t care less about the NHL - actually read the entire book, and quite enjoyed parts of it.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital copy. Apologies for the delay in getting this post up.
November 15, 2024
Having read dozens of hockey player memoirs, they are rarely something that I get overly excited about. While I find both coaches and those in management often tend to put out more engaging reads, it's the players who have the harder time producing an entertaining story. I don’t know if you’ve ever watched an interview with a player but it’s a lot of cliches and boiler-plate responses as they’re well-trained in dealing with the media. Their books tend to follow this trend and can sometimes read like a game-summary about stats, wins and losses, so they feel sort of soulless. You get the odd breakthrough book like Willie O’Ree’s memoir or Ken Dryden’s masterpiece “The Game”, but most fall in the realm of average-at-best.
When I heard one of my all-time favourites in Mats Sundin was going to finally tell his story, that definitely captured my attention. When he tapped best-selling fiction author Amy Stewart to assist him, I was even more interested. What ended up shaking out in the end was a more or less average memoir, but full of heart and love for a team that I have spent the majority of my life cheering for.
I lived through his time in Toronto, so it didn’t feel like a whole lot there that was revelatory. The true strength of this book lies in Sundin’s upbringing and his development as a player in Sweden. He came of age and was drafted to the NHL just after the Iron Curtain had fallen in Europe, so his stories about playing with talented, young Russians who ended up defecting to North America were fascinating. The fact that he was a first overall draft pick and stayed behind in Sweden for two years to play with his home club while also having a part-time job is something that would never happen in today’s NHL. A by-gone era for sure.
As a life-long die-hard Maple Leafs fan, I will always appreciate when someone desperately wants to play for the team. Mats’ passion for the hockey club is so clearly visible all throughout this book and you really feel his disappointment in not being able to bring a championship to the fans of Toronto. He wanted it more than anything. At this point, it feels like it would take nothing short of a miracle to see a parade down Bay Street in June, but you can’t blame Mats given just how hard he tried to make that happen.
When I heard one of my all-time favourites in Mats Sundin was going to finally tell his story, that definitely captured my attention. When he tapped best-selling fiction author Amy Stewart to assist him, I was even more interested. What ended up shaking out in the end was a more or less average memoir, but full of heart and love for a team that I have spent the majority of my life cheering for.
I lived through his time in Toronto, so it didn’t feel like a whole lot there that was revelatory. The true strength of this book lies in Sundin’s upbringing and his development as a player in Sweden. He came of age and was drafted to the NHL just after the Iron Curtain had fallen in Europe, so his stories about playing with talented, young Russians who ended up defecting to North America were fascinating. The fact that he was a first overall draft pick and stayed behind in Sweden for two years to play with his home club while also having a part-time job is something that would never happen in today’s NHL. A by-gone era for sure.
As a life-long die-hard Maple Leafs fan, I will always appreciate when someone desperately wants to play for the team. Mats’ passion for the hockey club is so clearly visible all throughout this book and you really feel his disappointment in not being able to bring a championship to the fans of Toronto. He wanted it more than anything. At this point, it feels like it would take nothing short of a miracle to see a parade down Bay Street in June, but you can’t blame Mats given just how hard he tried to make that happen.
October 26, 2024
Full disclosure- I am an unashamed member of Leafs Nation- they last won the cup when I was 5 , of which I have no memory of. Mats Sundin is one of the all time Leafs legends- he has a bronze statue on Legends Row in front of ScotiaBank arena after all, and one of my all time personal favourite players. His memoir, Home and Away is nostalgic, heart-warming and insightful. Growing up in Sweden as one of 3 boys, playing hockey on the frozen lake at their house, Mats childhood dream was to wear the 3 crown yellow jersey of his homeland and compete at the highest international level winning championships or even an Olympic gold medal for Sweden ( which he did at the Turin Olympic Games). As his life unfolds and he finds himself a young man in Canada, often homesick, his dream would shift to become winning a Stanley cup for - guess who? - Leafs Nation- “because they were deserving”. Insights into his relationships with the Pats- Burns and Quinn, teammates like Tie Domi, and mentor Borje Salming, the importance of family , the memoir takes the reader back to those great playoff runs - the battle of Ontario- the Leafs and Sens would meet in round 1 three years in a row. This book tugged at my heartstrings, hoping for a different end result while admiring the stoic captain and his perspective on events. A must read for any Leafs fan.
December 28, 2024
When my family moved to Canada from Bangladesh in August of 2001, the Toronto sports scene was huge the Raptors were coming off from its most successful season at the time with their star player Vince Carter. The Blue Jays while not as successful as the Leafs or the Raptors, we’re 8 years out from the back to back World Series wins of 1992 and 1993. While the Leafs while they still hadn’t won Stanley Cup since 1967, were still making appearances in the playoffs. However, me and my family weren’t able to watch much sports as the tv we had only had 5 channels. Any mention of Toronto sports teams were either on the news channels, CBC Toronto or CTV Toronto.
While my dad spent most of his time either working or studying for college there was two things he knew about the Leafs, #1: they have the most dedicated fans in the world, be it if they win or lose, and #2: he remembered seeing their star player and captain, Mats Sundin, everywhere from his face to his famous #13 jersey.
I’m glad that Mats had written his memoir, as i learned so much about someone who is known for not wanting to be in the spotlight that much. I loved getting to read about his past from his life in Sweden to his playing career in Canada as well as his experience of playing at the Olympics. I liked that fact he talked about many of the players he played with and played against ranging from Guy Lafleur to Pavel Bure to Alexander Mogilny. I also enjoyed him talking about his interest in history especially his chapter discussing the assassination of the Swedish Prime Minister, Olof Palme, and the impact it had on the Swedish people. I thought the title of the book is great as well as length of the chapters were pretty good. Great job also to Amy Stuart for helping Mats with this book as well. Go Leafs Go.
While my dad spent most of his time either working or studying for college there was two things he knew about the Leafs, #1: they have the most dedicated fans in the world, be it if they win or lose, and #2: he remembered seeing their star player and captain, Mats Sundin, everywhere from his face to his famous #13 jersey.
I’m glad that Mats had written his memoir, as i learned so much about someone who is known for not wanting to be in the spotlight that much. I loved getting to read about his past from his life in Sweden to his playing career in Canada as well as his experience of playing at the Olympics. I liked that fact he talked about many of the players he played with and played against ranging from Guy Lafleur to Pavel Bure to Alexander Mogilny. I also enjoyed him talking about his interest in history especially his chapter discussing the assassination of the Swedish Prime Minister, Olof Palme, and the impact it had on the Swedish people. I thought the title of the book is great as well as length of the chapters were pretty good. Great job also to Amy Stuart for helping Mats with this book as well. Go Leafs Go.
December 22, 2024
I read hockey biographies mainly to re-live the era of the game that I grew-up with, and to glean a bit more insight from the people who were a direct part of it. Mats Sundin was, and still is, my favourite player, so this was always going to make the reading list.
Aside from taking a journey through some of the more memorable Maple Leafs seasons, I was hoping to get a better understanding of Sundin as a person; how he was wired, what he was thinking during some of the more pivitol times, how he saw situations that we, as fans, were steered to see a certain way by the media. This book accomplishes that, though like with most works of this kind, not quite with nearly as much detail as you would hope. Still, you do get a much better sense of Mats as a person, as well as how he became who he was both on and off the ice. Frankly, it makes me appreciate the man even more.
It's not quite as good as Burke's Law, but better than Iron Mike (which was still pretty good), and a worthwhile time investment for any Leaf fan from the era, or those who just love reading about hockey. Getting a European perspective on North American sports leagues is also a nice change of pace. Recommended.
Aside from taking a journey through some of the more memorable Maple Leafs seasons, I was hoping to get a better understanding of Sundin as a person; how he was wired, what he was thinking during some of the more pivitol times, how he saw situations that we, as fans, were steered to see a certain way by the media. This book accomplishes that, though like with most works of this kind, not quite with nearly as much detail as you would hope. Still, you do get a much better sense of Mats as a person, as well as how he became who he was both on and off the ice. Frankly, it makes me appreciate the man even more.
It's not quite as good as Burke's Law, but better than Iron Mike (which was still pretty good), and a worthwhile time investment for any Leaf fan from the era, or those who just love reading about hockey. Getting a European perspective on North American sports leagues is also a nice change of pace. Recommended.
October 23, 2024
I doubt he'll actually ever see this but I'm going to say it anyway. I've been a Canucks fan since 1999 but I grew up in a family of Leafs fans. Mats was something else, so even after choosing Vancouver, I continued to watch Leafs games for a few years, all for Cujo and Mats. So of course I was excited when he came to play for Vancouver and sad to see him go so soon. There's always a handful of players who stick with you. And of course I jumped at the preorder of this book and couldn't put it down.
Not only was this incredibly well written and emotional, I felt like a little kid getting to watch Mats all over again, immersed in each game and players right along with him once again. What an incredible career he had. Thank you for sharing what we didn't see along the way with you Mats. Thanks for some incredibly exciting years of hockey. I'll always be a fan of yours.
Not only was this incredibly well written and emotional, I felt like a little kid getting to watch Mats all over again, immersed in each game and players right along with him once again. What an incredible career he had. Thank you for sharing what we didn't see along the way with you Mats. Thanks for some incredibly exciting years of hockey. I'll always be a fan of yours.
November 3, 2024
Absolutely fantastic read for any hockey enthusiast or biography reader. Reads like a story- not bogged down with heavy stats, names and places. Book is written how I would imagine Sundin “speaks”, thoughtful, reserved yet honest and vulnerable.
Book covers his life before, during and touches on after his career in the NHL. Lots of interesting information about other players and how they relate to his life/ career. Is able to accurately describe the intensity that is Leafs Nation- I could not imagine having to live with the pressure.
Book covers his life before, during and touches on after his career in the NHL. Lots of interesting information about other players and how they relate to his life/ career. Is able to accurately describe the intensity that is Leafs Nation- I could not imagine having to live with the pressure.
November 30, 2024
Mats Sundin was an amazing hockey player. He is also an amazing gentleman. As a result, this book is as dry as dust. He was a great player in an atrocious, incompetent organization. This was not covered in the book at all. For instance, John Ferguson Jr. has to be the worst general manager in sports history. Nothing was said about this except for one mention of his name in passing. I was not expecting a mud raking book but I did want a little openness about the inept organization. I heard they are better this year but I have gone from an avid fan to one who hasn't seen a game in ten years.
November 11, 2024
I am a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and have been since my father took me to my first game some 20+ years ago. My favourite player to watch was Mats Sundin.
I loved getting to hear his story, as he’s the reason I stuck with the Leafs after all these years. It is great to hear the story of some of the behind the scenes of an athlete - especially one you so fondly remember cheering for.
I recommend this book for anyone that’s a fan of hockey - not just the Leafs or Mats in particular.
I loved getting to hear his story, as he’s the reason I stuck with the Leafs after all these years. It is great to hear the story of some of the behind the scenes of an athlete - especially one you so fondly remember cheering for.
I recommend this book for anyone that’s a fan of hockey - not just the Leafs or Mats in particular.
November 11, 2024
"It was a different landscape. One where a Swedish guy like me could be considered for the captaincy of a team as storied as the Toronto Maple Leafs." (167)
I thought this was very well written and had a great timeline that flowed well. It was a really humble book and it thanks so many people for his success. I thought it gave great insights and backstories.
This book was a quick read; as I read it in a day!
I would recommend this book to any leaf fan out there!
I thought this was very well written and had a great timeline that flowed well. It was a really humble book and it thanks so many people for his success. I thought it gave great insights and backstories.
This book was a quick read; as I read it in a day!
I would recommend this book to any leaf fan out there!
November 23, 2024
Being half Swedish from the Toronto area, my family were huge fans of Mats Sundin. I didn't pay much attention to hockey growing up but it was still interesting read his story. I loved the references to Sweden and Toronto, and how he talked about his childhood and his parents position on geting their kids into hockey. I imagine that anyone who was following hockey in the 90s to mid 2000s would find it particularly fascinating to hear it all from Mats' point of view. Tack så mycket Mats Sundin!
December 21, 2024
A fantastic book for anyone who is a Leafs fan. I grew up with the Sundin era of hockey, so I've been looking forward to this book. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Sundin's stories about his time in the NHL, and also his life since retirement. He will forever be one of my favourite players (after Tie Domi). The photos included were a nice touch as well. This book was heartwarming and even made me teary eyed a few times. 10/10 would recommend.
November 7, 2024
I was looking forward to reading this book because I live in Toronto and was a huge Mats Sundin fan. Having said that the book is bland, bland, bland. For somebody wanting a real peek behind the curtain, this book offered absolutely nothing new. Mats seems like a nice guy, but the book was quite disappointing.
November 25, 2024
Whether you are a hockey fan or not (I would not consider myself a fan however have watched many games) this was an interesting read about an athlete growing up in Sweden and their journey to playing at the largest hockey franchise in the NHL, about what it means to play as part of team, play for your country, to win and to lose. I am really glad I read this book.
November 5, 2024
Mats is a legend. Arguably one of the greatest players of his generation. Glad he’s being recognized and telling his story years later as one of the first to break the Iron Curtain barrier for Europeans in the NHL. If you’re a die hard Leafs fan, this is a must read.
November 5, 2024
As a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan and an even bigger Mats Sundin fan, this biography was so beautiful to read and to get a peak behind his very private life. There are a lot of beautiful moments he shares about him and his parents/siblings, and then also with his kids today.
Loved it all.
Loved it all.
December 4, 2024
I loved reading about one of my childhood idols! Really enjoyed learning more about who he was/is as an individual and how his amazing career progressed from childhood passion to leading one of the greatest teams in the world. Very inspiring!
October 18, 2024
A little biased, but working on this book was a dream. I truly believe Home and Away is a great read even for those who couldn’t care less about hockey. Mats’ life story is a magical one!
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