PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Börje Salming has warmed many hockey hearts over the years.
During the Time’s Hockey Gala, he received fine prizes for his achievements on the ice.
But Salming has also shown incredibly good sides off the ice – not least when he helped the Ladies’ Crowns in a very special way during the 1980s and showed why he is one of Swedish ice hockey’s absolute greatest.
To Börje Salming is one of the biggest stars in Swedish ice hockey is of course no secret. He was the player who to a great extent paved the way for European players in North America, and for his achievements in, above all, the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was awarded a place in the Hall of Fame in 1996 – as the first Swede ever.
Salming was praised
On Thursday evening, Börje Salming received the NHL’s award as well as the award for “Moment of the Times” during the Hockey Gala of the Times which took place in the Avicii Arena – this in front of the eyes of the entire Swedish hockey world.
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In addition to being an outstanding player on the ice, Salming has also contributed to Swedish hockey off the ice – and not so little either.
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Because according to the Canadian hockey journalist Ian Kennedy – among others – Salming has been responsible for a deed that shows what an incredible fellow human being he is.
Salming’s fine deed
When the Women’s Crowns were to play their first world championship in 1987 – before the Swedish Ice Hockey Association covered the costs in women’s hockey – Salming stepped into the action. The legend chose to sponsor the team out of his own pocket so that the Women’s Crowns could go to Canada and participate in the tournament.
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Once there, they finished fourth in the tournament after victories against Switzerland, the Netherlands and Japan.
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For Börje Salming, there was no doubt that he would help.
– I know they had problems finding a sponsor so I was very happy to be able to help, Salming is said to have said according to the NHL expert twitter profile Jen Conway.