PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Håkan Loob and Mats Sundin played together in the national team.
The former has only positive things to say about “Sudden”.
– He had the whole package, says Loob to Hockey Sweden.
When Håkan Loob63, was a seasoned player in Tre Kronor came among others Mats Sundin, 52, forward in the national team. Along with players like Peter Forsberg and Markus Näslund was a new, younger generation about to establish themselves in blue and yellow.
Sundin’s anecdote
Loob and Sundin also played against each other, when they played in Färjestad BK and Djurgårdens IF respectively. “Sudden” remembers an occasion when it was not particularly fun to play against his compatriot.
– I will never forget that. I slashed “Looben” and he was crazy about it, arguing and shouting, he said according to Hockey Sweden.
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When Loob is asked about it, he cannot remember anything about the incident, and only has good things to say about Sundin from that time.
– Although I don’t remember the event itself, I remember when Mats emerged as a child prodigy, what qualities he possessed. Mats, “Foppa” and “Mackan” were very driven and challenged us elders all the time. At the time I was probably very annoyed, but at the same time I understood quite quickly that “here comes the new generation that will take over”. When you look back on it today, I understand what amazing talents there were, Loob told the site.
Loob’s Tribute
The 63-year-old describes that “Sudden’s” greatness as a player was based on the fact that he had a strong driving force from the beginning.
– Already when he arrived, he also had a very nice technique and that push that everyone today talks about that you should have. Also, he’s a big person and being able to handle it at such a young age… Reasonably, it would have taken a few more years to grow into his suit, but he was incredibly forward early on. He had the whole package.
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Sundin was drafted in 1989 as number one by the Quebec Nordiques, which was a Canadian club. Loob believes that he knew it.
– It was understood early on that he would go far in the draft and become a really, really good player. Then the development went extremely fast when he ended up on the other side (the Atlantic).
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