Börje Salming is supported by a whole hockey world.
Now former teammate Ian Turnbull sends a strong greeting.
– I just want this nightmare to disappear, he says.
Börje Salming has lost the ability to speak and has difficulty eating, which leads to him being tube-fed. Börje and his wife Pia told that in an interview with Expressen, which got the whole world to react. It was during the summer that Börje Salming was diagnosed with ALS, but since then it has been quiet.
The teammate’s nice words
But this week, Börje and Pia talked about the fight against the disease, and touched many. Since the video was made public, Salming has been supported by the entire hockey world, and icons from all over the world have reached out. The icons from the Toronto Maple Leafs, where Börje spent most of his career, have been particularly affected. Everyone has expressed their support and prayers, and now even Ian Turnbull, one of Börje’s closest teammates, is speaking out about the fight.
Ian Turnbull and Börje Salming were back partners for many years, and together the duo scored an incredible 157 points in the 1976/1977 season.
– We had a fantastic time. And now, this… Börje is so sick. It’s such a helpless feeling. If I only had a magic wand, I’d go to Sweden and wave it. Made this whole nightmare go away, Turnbull told Betweentheposts.
READ MORE: The shock in North America after the new pictures of Börje Salming – the NHL icons want to help the Swede
“So damn sad”
Turnbull believes that it has always been difficult to imagine Börje Salming ill, and he was shocked when the news came.
– I couldn’t believe it was true. Of all people, Börje… The best trained athlete I have ever met. It is sad and unreal, he says.
He continues:
– I always thought we’d sit together on a front porch one day, smoke a cigar, and laugh at all the bullshit we did in Toronto. Now I know that will never happen.
Ian Turnbull says that he has not met Börje since an All Star meeting in the early 2000s.
– I remember joking with Börje that he could still play in the NHL. I had put on a few kilos, but Börje… I don’t think his body has changed, even when he turned 70. That’s why it’s so upsetting, this.
Ian Turnbull concludes:
– Maybe there is a miracle out there. Some type of medication or cure that can save Börje. Otherwise, all we can do is pray for him. It’s a helpless feeling. And so damn sad.
READ MORE: The former teammate’s anger after the pictures of Börje Salming – directs criticism at Sweden: “Should be ashamed!”