PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Börje Salming passed away in the aftermath of the nerve disease ALS.
Now the NHL team Toronto Maple Leafs is acting after the icon’s passing.
To honor the Swede’s memory, a fundraiser for ALS has been started.
It was last Thursday that the news came Börje Salming tragically passed away. The Swedish hockey icon turned 71 years old and lost the battle against the terrible nerve disease ALS.
Tributes to Börje
Since then, tributes and condolences have poured in for several days to pay tribute and honor the legend’s memory. The entire hockey world has united in the great sadness of one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and a truly fine human being.
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In Toronto, Salming received the most emotional tribute one can receive when he received the genuine love of tens of thousands of spectators two days in a row at Scotiabank Arena a few weeks ago. Now Börje’s former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs, announces that it is taking action after the Swede’s passing.
READ MORE: Börje Salming’s last wish in life – older brother Stig Salming reveals the icon’s plea: “It was his demand”
Toronto initiative
The NHL team has decided to raise money for an ALS organization in Canada to honor the memory of number 21. In conjunction with the next NHL home game against the San Jose Sharks, all proceeds from the organization’s jersey sales will go to the ALS Action Canada foundation .
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The specially designed badge with Börje’s name on it, which the players wore on their match shirts immediately after the death notice, will also be available for sale. There, too, all proceeds will go to the Canadian ALS organization, the Maple Leafs announced in a statement on Twitter.
READ MORE: Bianca Salming’s first words after father Börje Salming’s death – opens up about the grief: “Been in a fog”
“Raise our voices”
At ALS Action Canada is Salming’s former teammate Mark Kirtonwho is also affected by the horrible disease.
“Börje Salming’s death reminds us all that it is time to raise our voices and come together as a country to end this terrible and painful disease now,” Kirton said in a statement for the ALS organization.
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Börje Salming played a full 16 NHL seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs and to this day is the player who has made the most assists for the club and is the top scoring defenseman of all time. ALS Action Canada is a patient-led and non-profit organization that works to ensure that ALS sufferers have access to new treatment methods faster, among other things.
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