It’s never the kind of news you want to hear from someone — a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease — but it hits especially hard when it’s someone you know. And for half a century, everyone in Toronto has known who NHL legend Borje Salming is. All the more painful for his millions of fans, friends and family is his announcement on Wednesday that he has been struck down by the terrible disease.
“I received news that has shocked my family and I,” Salming said in a statement released by the Toronto Maple Leafs. “The signs that something was wrong in my body turned out to be ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In an instant everything changed. I don’t know what the coming days will be like, but I understand that there will be challenges greater than anything I have ever faced. I also recognize that there is no cure, but numerous trials are ongoing worldwide and one day there will be a cure. In the meantime, treatments are available to slow its progression and my family and I will remain positive.”
Salming, 71, paved the way for Swedish players – and European players in general – during a 17-year NHL career in the Hockey Hall of Fame, during which he played for all but one season for the Leafs. His sturdy but accomplished playing style made him popular with Torontonians young and old, including this writer. He has dealt with xenophobia and resentment from small-minded hockey players, but he was always a class up until his final season, which he spent in the 1989-90 season with the Detroit Red Wings. In 1,148 regular-season games, he had 637 assists and 787 points.
In fact, it was always Salming’s dignity that stood out. He overcame the pathetic hatred of those who wanted to keep the NHL only for North American players by simply going out night after night and being one of the best players on the ice. He dominated despite Circus Leafs owner Harold Ballard transforming the team in the 1970s. He was a brilliant example of the gifts the Swedes brought to the sport – quiet determination, brilliant vision, relentless drive. He may not be the best Swede in hockey history – that title still goes to Red Wings icon Nicklas Lidstrom – but Salming deserves to be a topic of conversation and he deserves credit for supporting Lidstrom and all European players paved the way. And as usual, his announcement about his illness didn’t address the negative.
“Ever since I started playing ice hockey as a little kid in Kiruna, Sweden, and throughout my career I’ve given my all,” Salming said in his statement on Wednesday. “And I will continue to do so. Right now I can rest assured that I have my loving family around me and the best possible medical care.”
To say Salming has the support of Torontonians and Leafs fans is an extreme understatement. Since retiring, he’s been a great ambassador for the Leafs and for the sport. He has our love, respect, and our very best hopes as he battles the greatest enemy of his life. Hockey remains just a game, which is why the way you conduct yourself off the ice is just as important, if not more so, by and large.
In that regard, Salming can be considered a Hall of Famer. His grace and willpower will be remembered long after he’s gone, and despite his diagnosis, we hope he’ll be around for decades to come. Here’s to you, Borje.