PHOTO: Bildbyrån + TT Nyhetsbyrån
He grew up with a father who protected Mats Sundin on the ice.
Now Max Domi reveals the Swedish icon’s nice gesture towards him as a child.
– I will never forget that, he says to Sportbibeln.
Mats Sundin was one of the world’s best players for many years. During his career, he pretty much always had the protection of one of the NHL’s most notorious hitters in Tie Domi. And thanks to constant protector Domi’s presence on the ice, the worst tough guys stayed away from “Sudden”, in sheer fear of what Domi would do to get revenge.
Son of Tie Domi
Tie Domi and Mats Sundin were not only teammates and chain mates, they became close friends for life. Today Tie Domi’s son is playing, Max Domi, in the NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He and Mats Sundin have also become close friends, and when the Toronto Maple Leafs are now in Stockholm for the NHL Global Series, it will be a fond reunion for Max and Mats.
– I’m going to meet Mats this weekend. I can barely pull myself together, it’s been a while since I saw him, Josephine and the children, he tells Sportbibeln.
The article continues after the picture.
Max Domi believes that he became the hockey player he is today thanks to Mats Sundin, and the advice the Swedish icon has given him over the years.
– It’s someone I grew up with, who I looked up to and had as an idol my whole life. I’ve had a close relationship with him, so I’ve learned a lot from him both on and off the ice throughout my career. He means a lot to me and my family.
Paying tribute to Sundin
Tie Domi is the player in Toronto’s history with the most suspension minutes, and on the entire NHL list, he is third. However, he is number one on the list of the player with the most match penalties for fighting in the league.
– But you mustn’t forget that my father was a pretty good player too… But I think their relationship off the ice says everything about how well they got along on the ice as well. My dad always had my Mat’s back, and the same in the other direction. They are still close friends and it’s nice to see, he says.
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Max Domi has previously said that for a long time, as a child, he thought it was normal to have one of the NHL’s biggest stars so close to the family.
There are many stories about Tie and Mat’s friendship, not least about the time when Mats Sundin paid Tie Domis, who was then a rookie, a restaurant bill of SEK 100,000. Max Domi also remembers how Mats was always there when he was young.
– There are so many great memories. He came to many of my matches when I was a child, that a superstar like him took the time to do that… To look over my shoulder and see Mats Sundin standing in the stands with my father when I was eight or nine years old. It’s something I’ll never forget.
Share the article to pay tribute to Mats Sundin and his fantastic career!
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