Börje Salming is dead.
The Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed it this evening.
Here are the club’s first words about the passing of the legend.
It was this summer that Börje Salming went out and told that he had been affected by the disease ALS.
After the announcement, Salming’s condition worsened rapidly.
Against all odds, Börje Salming still made it to Canada two weeks ago. He was then part of the Hockey Hall of Fame ceremony and also received his own tribute in the Toronto Maple Leafs arena.
The hockey world was shaken and moved by the pictures of Salming at the time. The legend received an enormous amount of love from the entire sports world.
Shortly afterwards, Salming also participated in the Swedish hockey gala. There, too, it was an emotional evening, with many tributes and tears.
Today the news came that Salming has passed away.
The Toronto Maple Leafs write that the club mourns Börje’s passing. “Börje was a pioneer but an indestructible spirit and an indisputable toughness”.
The club also writes that Börje came to the club over 50 years ago and will forever be part of the club.
Here are all of Toronto’s warm, strong words about their legend:
Other NHL clubs also pay tribute to Börje Salming.
As the Los Angeles Kings: