Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Börje Salming has died on the age of 71 following a battle with ALS. Salming had been recognized with the illness earlier this 12 months.
The Maple Leafs launched an announcement on Thursday asserting Salming’s passing.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs mourn the lack of Börje Salming,” Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan stated. “Börje was a pioneer of the sport and an icon with an unbreakable spirit and unquestioned toughness. He helped open the door for Europeans within the NHL and outlined himself by way of his play on the ice and thru his contributions to the neighborhood.
“Börje joined the Maple Leafs 50 years in the past and can without end be part of our hockey household. We lengthen our deepest condolences to his spouse, Pia, his kids Theresa, Anders, Rasmus, Bianca, Lisa and Sara and brother Stieg.”
For Friday’s sport towards the Minnesota Wild, the Maple Leafs honored Salming with a particular patch on their jerseys that learn “BÖRJE” in yellow letters throughout a blue maple leaf with a yellow crown on high. The crown referenced Salming’s nickname “The King” and paid homage to his Swedish roots.
Salming spent 16 of his 17 seasons taking part in for the Maple Leafs from 1973 till 1989. He spent his last NHL season in 1989-90 with the Detroit Red Wings. During his 17-year profession, Salming tallied 787 factors (150 targets & 637 assists) in 1,148 profession video games.
Salming, who was born in Sweden, is the Maple Leafs’ all-time chief in factors (760) and assists (620) by a defenseman, and his No. 21 has been retired by the franchise. In January 1988, Salming grew to become the primary European-born participant to play in 1,000 NHL video games and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996.
The Swedish-born blue-liner was recognized with ALS in February 2022. The illness impacts mind and spinal wire cells in addition to losses associated to muscle management. Salming had misplaced the power to talk within the weeks main as much as his demise.
Salming was honored on two events earlier this month when he was on the town for Hockey Hall of Fame weekend.
The Maple Leafs did get an opportunity to honor Salming one final time earlier than a sport earlier this month towards the Vancouver Canucks. A ceremonial puck drop was carried out by Swedish-born gamers Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander to honor Salming. In addition, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe constructed a beginning lineup that function all six of the staff’s Swedish-born gamers.
Prior to the annual Hall of Fame sport between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Maple Leafs, Salming was introduced all the way down to the ice by former teammate Darryl Sittler and acquired a standing ovation. Salming had beforehand made it clear that he needed to attend the weekend’s festivities with Swedish-born stars Henrik Sedin (Canucks), Daniel Sedin (Canucks) and Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa Senators) set to be inducted.
