PHOTO: Bildbyrån
A year has passed since Börje Salming died in the suites of ALS.
Sports Sweden remembers a warm and important person who helped and inspired others.
– He was a mentor but also a friend, says Mats Sundin.
On November 24, 2022, the hockey legend passed away Börje Salming at the age of 71. For many Swedish hockey players, he was a great and significant inspiration when it came to taking the step over to North America and playing in the NHL.
– Börje was important to me. When I signed for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the mid-90s, Börje was one of the first people I talked to. He had a long career there, says Sundin.
After three seasons in the Toronto shirt got Mats Sundin the question of captaining the storied Canadian club. One of the first people he consulted about this was Salming. Sundin then agreed to play with a “C” on his chest – which he did for ten years.
– Besides that, Börje helped me find a fishing spot in the mountains. It is thanks to him that I still go there, 28 years later, Sundin says with a smile.
The memory of Börje
Another Swedish hockey legend who describes Salming as a great source of inspiration is Nicklas Lidström who played 20 seasons in the NHL.
– Börje has meant a lot to me. From when I was a little boy and played that I was Börje on the outdoor rink, to playing together with him and then becoming friends when I moved home to Sweden after my career. He has meant a lot to me, he says.
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He looks back on Salming’s last time in life as incredibly difficult – but at the same time with some beautiful elements.
– Then I think of the tributes in Toronto and in the Globe at the hockey gala. These are strong memories, although it was also tragic to see Börje in that condition. It was nice to see him get those accolades before he passed away.
Salming’s foundation
Alpine legend Ingemar Stenmark was a star in his sport at the same time as Salming. How does he remember Börje?
– As a safe person. I had him as a neighbor too. He was always good. A calm and safe northerner, says Stenmark.
Stenmark is today an ambassador in Börje Salming’s ALS foundation, while Sundin and Lidström are board members. An assignment that means a lot.
– I hope that the ALS foundation will continue to collect money for research and that a solution to this terrible disease will be found, says Sundin.
READ MORE: Unexpected criticism of the new TV series about Börje Salming after the acclaimed premiere episode: “He wasn’t so…”
Facts about Börje
Börje Salming won two SC golds with Brynäs and as many WC medals with Tre Kronor before he was recruited to Toronto in the NHL in 1973 in the very first wave of Swedes, together with Inge Hammarström.
As one of the first Europeans, Salming was especially exposed by the opponents, but distinguished himself with his sacrificial game and became a great fan favorite. When Sweden met the USA and Canada in the Canada Cup in 1976 in Toronto, the fans gave him a long standing ovation, which has become classic Swedish sporting memories.
There were a total of 1,229 games in the NHL in Toronto and Detroit, where he played his last season. He was inducted as the first Swede into the hockey Hall of Fame in 1996. After returning to Sweden, Salming played for AIK and was part of Tre Kronor in the 1992 Olympics before quitting.
A statue of Salming stands outside Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena and his jersey hangs from the ceiling as a tribute. Börje Salming died on 24 November last year, aged 71.
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