Swedish hockey great Börje Salming has died at the age of 71. World champion Timo Jutila played many times against the legend.
Sad news Börje Salming’s the departure was first reported on the Twitter account of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Salming represented Toronto in the NHL for 16 seasons in the 1970s and 80s.
Over the years, Salming took possession of six club records. In total, he had 1,148 NHL games and 787 regular season power points (150+637).
In 1973, he became one of the first Swedes to take a step across the Atlantic to play in the NHL and the legendary Canadian club.
In Toronto, Salming became a very popular player thanks to, among other things, his cheeky and self-sacrificing style of play, where he did not shy away from bruises, hard tackles and even fights.
Celebrated the Lions’ first ice hockey world championship in 1995 as team captain Timo Jutila remembers Salming very well.
In international competitions, “Juti” played against the 40- and 41-year-old Salming in the 1991 Canada Cup and the 1992 Albertville Olympics.
– The son of Kiiruna left Northern Sweden, from Norrbotten, to Gävle and then as the first Europeans to the NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Got an extra tough reception there, but cleared it excellently with world-class moves. One of the best defenders of all time. Within the sport, his appreciation was incredible, praised Jutila.
Jutila pointed out that Salming came to Sweden after his NHL career, where he played for AIK for three seasons. At the same time, the Finnish defender was playing in the Swedish premier league in Luleå and faced Salming, who was 13 years older than him and well over 40, on the rink.
– He was a legend even then. Salming took care of his field in style, played big minutes, was a bone of his own and a father figure to the AIK team at the time. He didn’t play ugly then, just hard and physically, Jutila judged.
Ice hockey ambassador, flagship for Swedish ice hockey
Jutila was especially pleased that Salming received worldwide recognition.
– Börje wasn’t a magician with the puck, but I’m sure every coach would have taken him on his team if he had the choice. He was a great hockey personality and above all a hockey ambassador, a flagship for Swedish hockey.
Salming suffered from the rare disease ALS, in which the motor nerves that command the muscles are gradually destroyed. In the summer of 2021, he told about his illness, which progressed exceptionally fast.
– He was a tenacious guy until the very end. Although no more words came out of his mouth, he still visited Toronto a few weeks ago at the hockey Hall of Fame ceremony, receiving moving applause. In his life, hockey showed a huge direction until the end. One can only hope for strength for the family, Jutila became sensitive.