Legendary Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Börje Salming sadly passed away at 71. If you grew up watching the Maple Leafs in the 1970’s and 1980’s you loved this guy. He was the heart and soul and fixture on the blue line for the Buds. The Super Swede was a beauty on and off the ice and will be missed.
Salming made his debut during the 1973-74 season and stayed with the Leafs until 1988-89 then played his final season in the NHL with the Detroit Redwings.
In 1996, Borje became the first Swedish hockey player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame .
The Toronto Maple Leafs mourn the loss of Borje Salming. President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. “Börje was a pioneer of the game and an icon with an unbreakable spirit and unquestioned toughness. He helped open the door for Europeans in the NHL and defined himself through his play on the ice and through his contributions to the community. Börje joined the Maple Leafs 50 years ago and will forever be a part of our hockey family. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Pia, his children Theresa, Anders, Rasmus, Bianca, Lisa and Sara, and brother Stieg.”
Statement from Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan on the passing of Börje Salming: pic.twitter.com/zguKOyVLmM
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 24, 2022
Earlier this year Salming was diagnosed with the progressive nervous system disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aka ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Salming had been receiving treatment in his native Sweden.
On November 12 Salming was accompanied by his family to drop the puck at the Scotiabank Arena and received an emotional standing ovation from the crowd that brought him and all of us to tears. A Warrior, A Legend, An Icon, A Maple Leaf Forever!
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement on the passing of NHL legend Borje Salming:
“A superior all-around defenseman and the first Swedish star ever to play in the League, Borje Salming was as physically and mentally tough as he was skillfully gifted. He blazed the trail that many of the greatest players in NHL history followed while shattering all of the stereotypes about European players that had been prevalent in a League populated almost entirely by North Americans before his arrival in 1973.
“Salming owns nearly every franchise record for Maple Leafs defensemen – including, goals (148), assists (620) and points (768) – and was voted to the NHL’s First or Second postseason All-Star Teams six consecutive seasons. He was named one of the top 10 players in Leafs history in 2016. Soon after, he was selected one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players during the League’s Centennial celebration. In 1996, he became the first European-trained skater inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Borje, a towering presence and transformational figure in the game’s history. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Pia; his children, Theresa, Anders, Rasmus, Bianca, Lisa and Sara; all who marveled at his exploits and the many NHL Players who stand on his shoulders.”
Many hockey players past and present have posted about the passing of Borje Salming including Doug Gilmour who said “Rest In Peace to the legend. You were always a true leader, tremendous person, and I am proud to have called you friend. 💙”
Thank You for the memories and your contribution to the sport of hockey in Canada, Sweden and around the globe. Rest in Peace Borje Salming
Tony Monaco – Middays 10am-3pm
