NHL | Tears flowed in the NHL. In Toronto, they applauded the terminally ill legend

Salming went overseas in the first half of the 1970s, when European hockey players were looked down upon overseas. However, the Swedish tough guy from beyond the arctic circle was not afraid of the challenge and won a great reputation in what was then a very tough competition. And over the course of sixteen seasons, he made an indelible mark in the hearts of Maple Leafs fans.

Over the weekend, the seriously ill legend was accompanied to the Scotiabank Arena ice by his family and former Maple Leafs captains Mats Sundin and Darryl Sittler. The club prepared a grandiose tribute to its great man, in which he characterized the unique story of the now 71-year-old man in a few minutes.

“Börje is coming home this evening. Börje, the entire nation of the Maple Leafs, loves you,” sounded the sold-out hall, where the fans stood and applauded, but at the same time fought with their own emotions, just like the famous Swede, whose facial expressions and movements already show how far the disease has progressed in his case .

Salming subsequently threw the honor balls of the match with Vancouver between the hockey sticks of his compatriots. William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

And it didn’t just stop at the pre-match ceremonies. In honor of the important personality, the coach of the home team, Sheldon Keefe, sent a complete Swedish attack on the ice from the start. Erik Källgren stood in goal, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren in defense, Calle Järnkrok, William Nylander and Pierre Engvall formed the attacking trio.

Salming is no longer able to speak as a result of the disease, he has to receive nutrition only through a tube directly into his stomach. He only noticed the first symptoms of the disease in February of this year. However, the insidious ALS progresses mercilessly fast in his case.