| Börje Salming | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1996 | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Salming in 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1951-04-17)17 April 1951 Salmi, Sweden | |||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 24 November 2022(2022-11-24) (aged 71) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Defence | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shot | Left | |||||||||||||||||||
| Played for | Brynäs IF Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings AIK Hockey | |||||||||||||||||||
| National team |  Sweden | |||||||||||||||||||
| NHL draft | Undrafted | |||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 1967–1993 | |||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Anders Börje Salming (Swedish:[ˈbœ̂rjɛˈsâlːmɪŋ]ⓘ; 17 April 1951 – 24 November 2022) was a Swedishice hockey player. He was adefenceman who played professionally for 23 seasons, for the clubsBrynäs IF,Toronto Maple Leafs,Detroit Red Wings, andAIK. He spent 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs, who retired his number 21 in 2016. Salming holds several Maple Leafs records, including the mostassists.
Salming was one of the first European players to make an impact in theNational Hockey League (NHL), for which he is often considered a trailblazer, being named to six consecutiveNHL All-Star Teams, winning theNHL All-Star Games of1976,1977 and1978, alongside being named a finalist for theJames Norris Memorial Trophy on several occasions.[2] In 1996, his first year of eligibility, Salming became the first European born and trained player inducted into theHockey Hall of Fame. In 2017, the NHL named Salming one of the100 Greatest Players in the first century of the league.
Salming played internationally for theSweden men's national ice hockey team, winning silver and bronze medals at theIce Hockey World Championships. He also played at threeCanada Cups and the1992 Winter Olympics. In recognition of his international career, Salming was inducted into theIIHF Hall of Fame in 1998, and named to theIIHF Centennial All-Star Team in 2008.
Salming was diagnosed withamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in July 2022. He died on 24 November 2022, days after accepting an award in what his wife announced on his behalf would be the family's final public appearance.
Salming was born on 17 April 1951 in the village of Salmi in what is nowKiruna Municipality, nearTorneträsk inJukkasjärvi Parish. His father, Erland (1921–1956), was ofSami origin, while his mother, Karin (née Persson, 1927–2022), wasSwedish. His paternal grandfather Anders Nikolaus had the surname ofSarri, but changed it toSalming after the village that he and his father (Börje's great-grandfather) had built up. His father was a miner who died in a mining accident when Salming was 5 years old. Salming's older brother, and role model growing up, Stig Salming (b.1947) also played hockey, forBrynäs IF between 1968 and 1981, becoming Swedish champions six times.
Salming identified himself as indigenous Sámi and was included in the electoral roll forSametinget. He also shared his experiences growing up as indigenous in his nativeKiruna and supported the struggle for Indigenous peoples' human rights on national TV.[3] As a reflection of his Sámi heritage, Salming often wore atraditional Samipewter bracelet.[4]
The Salming family resided close to an ice skating hall called Matojärvi hall where Börje started skating at the age of 6. He also playedhandball during his childhood.[citation needed]
Salming played with Kiruna AIF in Sweden's Division 2 from 1967 to 1970 before joiningBrynäs in the top division between 1970 and 1973. Brynäs won league championships in 1971 and 1972 with Salming on the squad. The team's success attracted attention from Toronto Maple Leafs scoutGerry McNamara, who was initially sent to investigateInge Hammarström, but was more impressed by Salming after seeing him play.[5] The Maple Leafs signed Salming as afree agent on 12 May 1973.[6]
After leaving theNational Hockey League (NHL) he completed his pro hockey career with AIK of the Swedish Elite League.[7] One of the opponents he faced at AIK was young defencemanNicklas Lidström, who credited Salming with encouraging his own career.[8]
Salming made his NHL debut with the Leafs at the beginning of the1973–74 NHL season against theBuffalo Sabres. After a 7–4 victory, Salming was named the best player of the game.[5] By the end of the season, Salming had recorded 39points.[5]
Prior to Salming's arrival in the NHL, most North Americans considered European players too soft to play in the NHL.[8] North American ice hockey was played in a more physical style on a smaller rink, andhockey fights were common, while European ice hockey emphasised speed and skill on a larger ice surface. NHL sources even referred to players from Sweden as "Chicken Swedes."[9] Salming's strong performances helped to permanently eradicate that reputation.[5]
On 4 September 1986, Salming was suspended by the NHL for eight regular season games and fined $500, because he was quoted in a Toronto newspaper in May saying that he usedcocaine "five, six years ago, but not since and I feel good about saying no." The league initially suspended him for the entire season, then commuted the suspension.[10] On 26 November 1986, late in a game between the Leafs and theRed Wings in Detroit, Salming was knocked down in front of the Leafs net andGerard Gallant of the Red Wings accidentally cut Salming's face with his skate blade. The injury required facial cosmetic surgery that involved more than 200 stitches.[11]
On 4 January 1988, Salming became the first European born and trained player to appear in1,000 career NHL games. In recognition of his achievement, on 27 January (in Salming's 1,011th game), he was gifted a car driven onto the ice by his parents and friendInge Hammarström in a surprise pre-game ceremony, inspired by a similar ceremony given by thePhiladelphia Flyers toBill Barber.[12]
In 1989, after 16 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he signed as a free agent with the Red Wings, for whom he played one season to finish his career in the NHL.[7]
In the NHL, he played 1148 regular season games (1099 of them with the Leafs) and 81 playoff games, scoring totals of 150 goals and 637 assists.[13] Salming was named a First Team All-Star in1977, and was selected to the Second Team in1975,1976,1978,1979, and1980.[6] Salming spent 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs, recording 768 points (148 goals, 620 assists).[5] The other Toronto players nicknamed him 'The King'.[8]
Salming had an extensive international playing career.[14] He played for theSwedish national team at the1972 and1973 World Championships, winning a silver and bronze medal, respectively.[15] He also played at theCanada Cup in1976,1981, and1984; and the1992 Winter Olympics.[16] The 1976 Canada Cup was held atMaple Leaf Gardens. Sweden facedTeam USA in Toronto, and Salming received astanding ovation.[17] Salming later commented, "I'll never forget our game in Toronto. The fans gave me a standing ovation during the introductions. I was representing my country and Canadian fans gave me a standing ovation. Sometimes hockey has no country."[18][19] In recognition of his international career, Salming was named to theIIHF Centennial All-Star Team in 2008, one of five players honoured.[20]
After the end of his playing career, Salming launched an eponymous brand of sportsunderwear.[21] In 2007, at age 56, he posed nude for 31 paintings by Swedish graffiti artistJohan Wattberg. Ten of the paintings were displayed in Sweden, with the remaining 21 (matching his jersey number) displayed in Toronto.[22]
Early in his career as a Leaf, Salming resided in theHigh Park neighbourhood in Toronto with his wife Margitta, a children's-wear designer;[23][24] they later divorced.[25]
In 2016, he married Pia Salming.[26] Salming had four children: Theresa and Anders with first wife Margitta, and Rasmus and Bianca with his ex-partner Katarina. His daughterBianca Salming is aheptathlete.[27]
In February 2022, Salming began to experience an unusual twitching motion in his muscles, which later forced him to prematurely exit an alumni game in March.[28] In mid-July, Salming was diagnosed withamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.[28] On 10 August, Salming publicly revealed his diagnosis via a statement shared through the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.[29] Following his diagnosis, Salming developed severe depression.[30] Appearing in public on 17 October, for the first time since his diagnosis, Salming revealed that his condition had worsened: he had lost the ability to speak, requiring him to use atablet computer for communication, and required afeeding tube for meals.[31]
On 11 November 2022, despite his diagnosis, Salming made the annual trip to Toronto for the Maple Leafs' Hall of Fame induction weekend game, where he was part of an emotional pre-game moment where lifelong friendDarryl Sittler helped Salming wave to the crowd.[32][33] The following night, the Maple Leafs honoured Salming in their game against theVancouver Canucks, featuring a pre-game ceremony dedicated to the defender where a tearful Salming dropped the puck in the ceremonial face off, with Toronto'sWilliam Nylander and Vancouver'sOliver Ekman-Larsson receiving the faceoff, both Swedes. The Maple Leafs selected a unique starting line-up of six Swedish players to honour Salming's career.[34][35]
The following week, on 17 November 2022, Salming was elected to the all-star team of the century and was awarded the NHL's Honorary Award at a ceremony in Sweden. Following the ceremony, Salming's wife announced that the event would be the family's final appearance.[36]
One week later, on 24 November 2022, Salming died at the age of 71.[37][38][39] His death made national headlines in Canada and in Sweden, with several organizations, athletes, and celebrities offering tributes to his life.[40][41] For the remainder of the2022–23 NHL season, the Maple Leafs wore commemorative shoulder patches in Salming's honour, with the team also making several donations to ALS research.[42] On 30 November 2022, a moment of silence was held atScotiabank Arena to honour him during a game where theSan Jose Sharks visited the Toronto Maple Leafs.[43] A private funeral was held atSkogskyrkogården on 20 December 2022.[44] Three days earlier, his mother Karin had died aged 95.
One year after his death, the Börje Salming Courage Award was established, which is given to the European NHL alumnus who has been a positive influence in their community and best embodies Salming's legacy.[45]Nicklas Lidström, who had considered Salming to be his personal hero, was awarded the inaugural trophy on 16 November 2023.[45]
His death, along with the death ofChris Snow, the Calgary Flames assistant general manager,[46][47][48][49][50] inspired all seven Canadian NHL teams to collectively fight ALS through the ALS Super Fund.[51][52][53][54]
Two months before his death, the Börje Salming ALS Foundation was established by Salming and his family to advance medical scientific research to increase understanding and improve the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[55][56] Each spring, the foundation hosts the "A Night for Börje" gala in collaboration with and hosted with Berns, an iconic venue in Stockholm.[57]
.jpg)
In November 1996, Salming became the first Swedish player to be inducted into theHockey Hall of Fame.[58] In 2017, the NHL itself named Salming one of the '100 Greatest Players' in league history.[59]
On 4 October 2006, Salming's no. 21 was honoured by the Leafs in a ceremony, along withRed Kelly's andHap Day's no. 4, before their first game of the2006–07 season.[60] On 15 October 2016, to mark the centennial season of the Maple Leafs organization, Salming's number 21 was formally retired in a pre-game ceremony alongside other franchise greats who received the same honour for their respective numbers.[61]
.jpg)
.jpg)
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1967–68 | Kiruna AIF | SWE II | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1968–69 | Kiruna AIF | SWE II | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969–70 | Kiruna AIF | SWE II | 16 | 5 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1970–71 | Brynäs IF | SWE | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 16 | ||
| 1971–72 | Brynäs IF | SWE | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 30 | ||
| 1972–73 | Brynäs IF | SWE | 14 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 24 | ||
| 1973–74 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 76 | 5 | 34 | 39 | 48 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1974–75 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 60 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 34 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1975–76 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 78 | 16 | 41 | 57 | 70 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | ||
| 1976–77 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 76 | 12 | 66 | 78 | 46 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 1977–78 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 80 | 16 | 60 | 76 | 70 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1978–79 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 78 | 17 | 56 | 73 | 76 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 1979–80 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 74 | 19 | 52 | 71 | 94 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1980–81 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 72 | 5 | 61 | 66 | 154 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1981–82 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 69 | 12 | 44 | 56 | 170 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 69 | 7 | 38 | 45 | 104 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | ||
| 1983–84 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 68 | 5 | 38 | 43 | 92 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 73 | 6 | 33 | 39 | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 41 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 48 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 14 | ||
| 1986–87 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 56 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 42 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | ||
| 1987–88 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 66 | 2 | 24 | 26 | 82 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | ||
| 1988–89 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 63 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 49 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | AIK IF | SEL | 36 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | AIK IF | SEL | 38 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 98 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1992–93 | AIK IF | SEL | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| SWE totals | 42 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 46 | 39 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 70 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1,148 | 150 | 637 | 787 | 1,344 | 81 | 12 | 37 | 49 | 91 | ||||
| SEL totals | 80 | 11 | 23 | 34 | 154 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Sweden | EJC | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
| 1969 | Sweden | EJC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
| 1972 | Sweden | WC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1973 | Sweden | WC | 10 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 4 | |
| 1976 | Sweden | CC | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | |
| 1981 | Sweden | CC | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |
| 1989 | Sweden | WC | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | |
| 1991 | Sweden | CC | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | |
| 1992 | Sweden | OG | 8 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | |
| Junior totals | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | |||
| Senior totals | 46 | 13 | 15 | 28 | 48 | |||
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Original Toronto Star caption: Hockey star Borje Salming, part-owner of new restaurant, Downtown, and wife Margitta, a children's wear designer, are served by a waitress wearing a design by Margitta – red dress with collar and cuffs and cut-out back.
8 HIGH PARK GARDENS ... The previous owners Borje and Margitta Salming bought the house in the 1970s. ... Living in Toronto's High Park neighbourhood in the early 1990s, Linda and Michael Hutcheon would often walk along High Park Gardens... The Hutcheons didn't realize it at first, but the house belonged to the Toronto Maple Leafs player Borje Salming. Mr. Salming was a trail blazing Swede who became the first European player to gain star status in the National Hockey League when he joined the Leafs in 1973.
Eventually Margitta was described as Salming's fiancée, which she indeed became. Later still, his wife and ultimately his ex-wife.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
