PHOTO: Bildbyrån
They both became pioneers for Swedes in North America.
Inge Hammarström never forgets her close friend Börje Salming.
But he never got the chance to bid a final farewell to the departed icon.
In 1973, Swedish sports history was written when Brynä’s crowd favourites Börje Salming and Inge Hammarström took the big step across the Atlantic. They left the security at home in Sweden and moved to the tough NHL to pave the way for future hockey players from our small country.
Börje and Inge
Salming would have an unparalleled career in North America and became an icon in the Toronto Maple Leafs. At his side at the beginning was his friend Hammarström, but it would not go as well for him.
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After five seasons in the Maple Leafs, Inge was forced to move and then continued with two seasons in St. Louis Blues before he returned home to Gävle and Brynäs. In the TV series about Börje Salming’s life that was shown during the winter on Viaplay, we got to follow the duo’s life and challenges as new professionals in Toronto.
“Was disappointed”
But Hammarström was also there during Salming’s most iconic moment from his hockey career. Namely the unforgettable tribute during the Canada Cup in 1976 in Toronto when Börje was celebrated out on the ice with a standing ovation from the crowd.
– I was in the same lineup and knew I would remain on the bench for a few minutes, haha. There were several of us who got nice ovations – but none like Börje. The audience had really taken him to their hearts. That is an experience that I will have with me for the rest of my life, Inge tells Expressen.
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On November 24, 2022, Salming tragically passed away from the effects of the terrible ALS disease. Hammarström was on his way to the hospital to see his good friend, but arrived too late.
– I miss Börje. We called each other occasionally and talked shit. It was all a shock. I often think of him when I’m out walking in the mornings. I was on my way down to him when he passed. When I was in Uppland’s Väsby, Stig called and told me he was gone, says an emotional Inge in the interview.
– I visited him once when he was at Huddinge hospital. By then he was so ill that he could no longer speak. We just sat and laughed and held each other. It was really hard at the end.
READ MORE: Inge Hammarström’s incredible revelation about Peter Forsberg and Jaromir Jagr – which had shocked the entire NHL: “It’s hair-raising”
Hammarström never had that last meeting with Börje before his passing. Not even during the “Tidernas hockey gala” when Salming was celebrated in the most beautiful way, he was there, Inge was never invited to the hockey party and it hurts to this day.
– Then I would have gotten to meet Börje one last time. I was disappointed when I didn’t even get an invitation. After all, I have been part of hockey and a 100th anniversary is only once. Damn, it was boring, he says to the evening newspaper.
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