Leafs’ legend Mats Sundin recreates iconic photo with Vince Carter ahead of his jersey retirement

Mats Sundin is a legendary figure among the Toronto Maple Leafs faithful. Over his 13-year tenure, he became one of the team’s most impactful players and even captained the side through 11 seasons.

His time with the Maple Leafs coincided with the prime years of another Toronto sports legend, Vince Carter. From 1998 to 2004, both Sundin and Carter played for Air Canada Centre. While Sundin excelled on the ice, Carter wowed fans on the court. This shared spotlight fostered a unique bond between the two, uniting Leafs and Raptors fans under one roof.

A famous moment from this time is a photo of Sundin and Carter. In the picture, Sundin is wearing a Raptors jersey, while Carter is wearing a Maple Leafs uniform.

As the Raptors legend prepares to retire his No. 15 jersey, Sundin joined him to recreate their iconic photo together. Sportsnet shared the post on X (formerly Twitter) with a caption that read,

“Seems like it was just yesterday. Matt Sundin and Vince Carter recreate their ICONIC photo ahead of VC's jersey retirement.”

The Maple Leafs retired Mats Sundin’s No. 13 jersey in 2011. Carter also made a significant impact with the Raptors. He averaged 23.4 points per game and won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1999. His famous performance in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest inspired many players.

Mats Sundin compared Maple Leafs’ fanbase to Yankees and Barcelona

On October 17, 2024, Mats Sundin shared his strong feelings about playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played for the team for 18 years before retiring in 2009. Sundin called his time with the Leafs an unmatched experience. He pointed out that Leafs fans are everywhere, even in cities like Los Angeles and Calgary.

“It’s really impossible to describe until you wear the jersey and go out for a game," Mats Sundin said, (via Leafslatest). "You begin to understand the fanbase and the love for the team—not only in Toronto or Ontario, but even in places like LA, where half the building cheers for the Maple Leafs. You go to Tampa or Florida, and it’s the same thing. In Calgary, there are almost as many Leafs fans in the building."

Sundin compared the Leafs’ fanbase to famous teams like the New York Yankees and Barcelona. He said the Maple Leafs are a key part of Canada’s identity.

"The Toronto Maple Leafs are an institution in Canada, Ontario, and Toronto," Sundin added. "Playing for the Maple Leafs is like nothing else in hockey.”

Sundin also expressed confidence in the current 2024-25 roster. Although the team hasn’t reached the Stanley Cup finals in many years, he believes they have a good chance this season.