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Maple Leafs legend Börje Salming died in November at 71 because of problems from ALS. Prior to Wednesday evening’s recreation towards the Sharks, Toronto honored the Hall of Fame defenseman.
Before the opening puck drop at Scotiabank Arena, the Maple Leafs performed a tribute video for Salming. The ceremony included 21 seconds of silence to honor Salming’s quantity with Toronto, which hangs within the rafters.
The Maple Leafs introduced that they’d be elevating cash for ALS Action Canada with the web proceeds from the sale of the brand new Reverse Retro jerseys and a jersey patch honoring Salming going to the charity. ALS Action Canada Board Member Mark Kirton, who additionally performed for the Maple Leafs, thanked the Maple Leafs for paying tribute to Salming in such a significant means.
“On behalf of ALS Action Canada, the primary and solely ALS patient-led advocacy group on this nation, we thank the Toronto Maple Leafs for its generosity in supporting our work to assist ALS households urgently entry new drug therapies, get higher entry to scientific trials, and push for elevated analysis funding for a remedy,” Kirton stated. “Börje Salming’s dying reminds us all that it’s time to increase our voices and are available collectively as a rustic to finish this horrific and torturous illness now.”
Just over two weeks in the past, Salming was in Toronto for the Hall of Fame weekend, and the Maple Leafs introduced him onto the ice earlier than their recreation towards the Vancouver Canucks. Head coach Sheldon Keefe additionally began an all-Swedish lineup in honor of Salming that evening.
Salming made his debut for the Maple Leafs within the 1973-74 season, and he turned an immediate star. That 12 months, he completed third in voting for the Calder Trophy, and he completed fifth in voting for the Norris Trophy.
Throughout his lengthy tenure in Toronto, Salming would set up himself as one of many premier defensemen in Maple Leafs historical past. In 1,099 video games with the Maple Leafs, Salming racked up 148 targets, 620 assists, and 768 factors.
