Toronto met Minnesota on the road on Friday evening Swedish time, the team’s first NHL game after the announcement on Thursday that Börje Salming died of complications from ALS.
Already on Thursday evening, Steve Keogh of the club’s media and communications department told TT that Salming would be honored in some way.
Before the match, the club put out the badge that adorned all the players’ shirts Twitter.
When the news about Salming came on Thursday, the whole team was informed before a training session.
— It’s difficult to take in, I’ve just found out. It’s so sad. I met him just a couple of weeks ago and it’s crazy how fast it went, William Nylander told TSN.
Just two weeks ago, Salming was celebrated during two emotional nights in a row at Toronto’s home arena, Scotiabank Arena.
Börje Salming played 16 seasons in Toronto, still holds several club records – best point guard and most assists, among other things – and has his shirt on the roof of the home arena and a statue outside.
Toronto is currently on the road and will play its first home game since Salming’s death on the night of Dec. 1 against San Jose.
The match between Minnesota and Toronto is in progress.