Don Cherry almost never has anything good to say about players from Sweden. But Börje Salming was a player he liked.
– He was a damn good player, says Don Cherry.
Börje Salming is undoubtedly one of Sweden’s best hockey players of all time. He has several international matches with Tre Kronor on his merit list and over 1,000 matches in the world’s best hockey league.
Nice words from the “Swedish hater”
In the hockey-mad city of Toronto, Börje Salming truly has icon status and has a statue of him outside his home arena, the Air Canada Centre. But recently the 71-year-old has not been feeling very well and earlier this week Salming announced that he had been affected by 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.
After the heavy announcement, tributes have poured in from all corners of the hockey world. Several have expressed their support, and now Börje Salming is even praised by former player and coach Don Cherry.
Don Cherry’s fine words
– You have never heard me complain about him (Salming). He was a damn good player and you felt immediately when he was out on the ice, Don Cherry told the Toronto Sun after he was reached by the illness message.
Don Cherry has become known in Sweden for his grudge against European players and above all Swedes. But stubborn Börje Salming was a player the Canadian liked.
– This guy (Salming) was brave. Everyone could see it. He was good with the puck but I mainly remember how he blocked shots. He was really good at that, says Don Cherry.
READ MORE: Daughter Bianca’s touching words about Börje Salming’s illness: “It’s hard to see dad getting worse”