Lars Niklas Sundström is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player who started his professional career in Modo Hockey. He was drafted eighth overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers. He was also on Wayne Gretzky's line. He was not known for his goal scoring ability, but for his defensive play. He was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 1999, and to the Montreal Canadiens in 2003. Sundström plays forward and specializes in defensive roles. When he was a junior player he formed a line in Modo with future NHL stars Peter Forsberg and Markus Näslund. He wore the number 24 for the San Jose Sharks and the New York Rangers but wore the number 37 for the Montreal Canadiens. After 11 NHL seasons, he returned to play in Sweden at the start of the 2006–07 season, leading Modo to a surprise title during his first season, scoring several vital goals in the playoffs. He formed an effective partnership with Norwegian Per-Åge Skrøder, leading to Skrøder winning the top scorer rankings in 2009. Modo still missed the playoffs that year, despite Sundström having the best plus-minus rating in the entire series. On December 3, 2013, Sundström officially announced his retirement.
Niklas Sundström playing for the New York Rangers against the Vancouver Canucks in October 1997
Modo Hockey is a professional ice hockey club in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. The team currently plays in Sweden's first-tier league SHL after having won promotion from HockeyAllsvenskan following the 2022/23 season. The club was founded in 1987 and has won one title, SHL championships;2007. The team's home arena since 2006 is the Hägglunds Arena. Before then, the team played at Kempehallen, beginning in 1964.
Banners of retired numbers at Hägglunds Arena
This jersey from the 1979-80 season was given by MoDo to Lieutenant General Dick Stenberg, Chief of the Swedish Air Force from 1973 to 1982. Stenberg in turn donated it to the museum. The Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) was a sponsor of MoDo from 1979 to 1985, which is reflected in the design of the jersey. The front sports the club crest in the form of a wing, and the sleeves sports the coat of arms of the Air Force.