Iconic Maple Leafs defenseman Borje Salming dies at 71

Legendary NHL defenseman Borje Salming, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ blue line for 16 years, has died. he was 71 years old.

Maple Leafs announced Salming’s death Thursday afternoon.

“Borge was a pioneer in gaming and an icon of unwavering spirit and unquestionable toughness,” President and Lieutenant Governor Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. “He helped open the doors to Europeans in the NHL and defined himself through his playing on the ice and his contribution to the community.

“Borge joined the Maple Leafs 50 years ago and will forever be part of our hockey family. His wife Pia, his children Teresa, Anders, Rasmus, Bianca, Lisa, My deepest condolences to Sarah and her brother Steeg.”

Salming was diagnosed earlier this year with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive nervous system disease also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Salming was receiving treatment in her native Sweden.

A pioneering European star from the northern Swedish town of Kiruna, Salming has played 1,099 games for the Leafs and ranks fourth among the team’s career scoring leaders with 768 points.

In 1997, he was named one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history by a committee including former players, coaches, officials and media members.

Samming’s number 21 jersey hangs in the rafters of the Air Canada Center after he retired in 2016 alongside other Leafs players like Dave Keown, Johnny Bauer and Doug Gilmour. He was also his fourth former Maple Leaf to have a statue placed on his row, alongside icons such as Bauer, Darryl Sittler and Ted Kennedy, Maple Leafs his square team Legends.

Watch | Salming receives emotional applause from Leafs fans.

Summing’s strong two-way play has made him one of hockey’s elite defensemen. He was also one of the most popular players in the team’s history.

When his statue was unveiled in 2014, Summing said in a statement, “It’s such an honor to wear the Toronto Maple Leaf sweater for 16 seasons.

“I always look back fondly on my time in Toronto and enjoy the opportunity to visit Toronto whenever I get the chance.”

Former Maple Leafs captain and compatriot Mats Sundin previously said that all Swedes respect Salming and appreciate his wealth of achievements.

“For us Swedish hockey players, he was the one who showed us the right way and the trailblazer,” Sundin said.

European players are now common among the NHL and league’s biggest stars, but that wasn’t always the case. Way back in 1973, Salming was once despised by his hockey fans as “Chicken His Swedes”, thanks to the stereotype that North Americans couldn’t keep up with their physical prowess. to help open the door to hockey in North America. game.

By not only surviving but thriving in the NHL, Salming helped eradicate that stereotype, earning him the nickname “The King.” In his 16 season with the Detroit Reds before his final league season with the Wings, Summing had a team-record 620 assists and 148 goals.

He was also named to the league’s first All-Star team once and second to the All-Star team five times, also a team record. Couldn’t get votes.