Maple Leafs’ Börje Salming passes away after battle with ALS

Toronto Maple Leafs legend and long-time defenceman Börje Salming died on Thursday, the team confirmed in a news release.

Salming was 71 years old.

Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan issued a statement on behalf of the organization, calling Salming 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,” Shanahan said.

“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.”

In July, Salming was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The long-time defenceman announced his diagnosis in August, saying that “in an instant, everything changed.”

ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that leads to paralysis, the inability to swallow, respiratory failure and finally death, usually within two to five years from the onset of symptoms.

This month, Salming made the trip to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto for the Maple Leafs Hall of Fame induction weekend game, where he was part of an emotional tribute alongside Darryl Sittler, a lifelong friend and former teammate.

Once the game started, the Maple Leafs iced an entirely Swedish starting lineup in Salming’s honour for the first time in franchise history.

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

Salming, who went undrafted, is considered one of the greatest defencemen to ever don a Leafs jersey.

He played 16 seasons and 1,099 regular season games in Toronto. He would eventually establish a team record for most assists (620) while registering the most goals (148), points (768) and playoff points (49) by a defenceman in franchise history. He eclipsed the 70-point mark four times as a member of the Leafs.

In 1996, he became the first Swedish player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Salming’s No. 21 hangs in the rafters at Scotiabank Arena as he is one of 19 players to have their number retired by the organization.