The junior crowns won the opener against Switzerland 3–2.
And they did it with the number 21 plastered on their clubs.
“This victory was for you, Börje,” writes Andy Fagerström on Twitter.
Börje Salming is one of Sweden’s best hockey players of all time. The icon has played over 1,000 games in the world’s best hockey league, and is one of the few Swedes to be inducted into the NHL’s Hall of Fame.
Affected by ALS
The Swede has reached the age of 71, but has not been feeling very well lately. Before the summer, he told us that, among other things, he had difficulty speaking, but the doctors had not been able to find anything.
But on Wednesday Börje Salming announced that he had been diagnosed with the incurable disease ALS.
“I have received news that has shaken the life of me and my family. The signs that indicated that everything was not right in my body turned out to be the disease ALS. In an instant, everything changes,” said Börje Salming in a statement to TT.
“For you, Börje”
An entire hockey world has rallied behind the Swede to show their support. And during the Junior crowns’ premiere match against Switzerland in the JVM, they also rose to the occasion in the tributes to one of Sweden’s best players of all time.
The number 21 was stuck on the players’ clubs. Börje Salming’s number that has been hoisted to the ceiling in Toronto’s home arena.
“This victory was for you, Börje,” writes Andy Fagerström on Twitter.
The junior crowns then won the match 3–2.
READ MORE: The hockey world’s reactions to Börje Salming’s message: “Keep fighting, you’re the best ever”