Death of Börje Salming | Tribute to the one who changed perceptions

(Chicago) Börje Salming had already been hanging up his skates six years before Arvid Soderblom was born. But just as young Quebecers knew very well who Guy Lafleur was when he died, young Swedes, like Soderblom, are well aware of Salming’s work.

“He was my father’s idol. I am so young! Everyone in Sweden knows him, even those who don’t play hockey,” 23-year-old Blackhawks goaltender Soderblom told us after practice Thursday.

Salming’s death was announced Thursday noon, precisely during training. Neither Soderblom nor Patrick Kane knew at the time they were told. “The tribute they gave him in Toronto was really moving,” Kane noted, shocked to see Salming pass away just two weeks after he bid a moving farewell to hockey fans gathered at ScotiaBank Arena.

“He is probably the greatest Swedish player in history, or at least one of the best. He was one of the first to come here, despite the very robust style of play. He made life easier for the Swedes who followed him. He’s an icon,” Soderblom continued.

A heartfelt tribute

Luke Richardson met the media a few minutes later. In the meantime, the Blackhawks head coach had been made aware of his former teammate’s death. In 1987, an 18-year-old Richardson landed with the Maple Leafs, to evolve within the same defensive brigade as Salming, already a monument at 36 years old.

“He was my childhood idol and I had the chance to play with him. He helped me not only on the ice by giving me advice on the bench, but also in life. He treated everyone very well. His nickname was the King and it wasn’t just because he was great on the ice,” Richardson testified.

To understand the barriers Salming faced, we have to go back to the NHL of the 1970s and 1980s. Salming arrived in Toronto in 1973; he was only the sixth Swedish-born player to set foot in the NHL.

“Hockey was tough back then,” Richardson said. Imagine how tough they were on this youngster, who had to fight the prejudice that Swedes were soft. »

Richardson doesn’t exaggerate when he talks about tough guys. The Norris Division, which then included the Leafs, Black Hawks, Red Wings, North Stars and Blues, was nicknamed the Chuck Norris Division, because disputes there were settled more with fists than words. Bob Probert, Dave Manson, Basil McRae, Joey Kocur, Shane Churla… Eight times a year, Salming had to face them.

“And he was the toughest defender in the division,” Richardson said. I knew he was an excellent skater. But he was so tough, so strong. He was one of the first to dive to block shots, he always played injured. He must have been 36 or 37 and it was an inspiration to see that the oldest player was the fittest. Me, he inspired me to always keep myself in good shape, to play as long as possible.

“And it was he who absorbed the anger of the coach for the youngest. We had a grumpy coach and Börje tried to protect the youngsters. He was a real leader on and off the ice. »

Lightning Disease

Despite this climate, Salming became the first European-trained player to reach the 1,000-game mark in the NHL. First from his continent, too, to enter the Hall of Fame, in 1996.

He spent 16 seasons with the Leafs, before ending his NHL career in Detroit. Salming had 787 points on the 19^e total among defensemen in league history.

It was in August that Salming announced that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“I don’t know how the next few days will go, but I understand there will be challenges greater than any I’ve faced,” Salming said at the time. I also know that there is no cure, but there are many trials going on and there will be a cure one day. »

A touching tribute was paid to him two weeks ago at a pre-game ceremony honoring those inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. The former defenseman was flanked by two other franchise icons, Sittler and Sundin.

Cheeks streaming with tears, Sittler raised Salming’s arm to wave to the crowd.

The following day, Salming made one final appearance before a Leafs game against the Canucks at Scotiabank Arena. Surrounded by his family, he received a standing ovation as a video of his exploits was released. Salming shook hands with everyone on the Leafs as he slowly walked off the ice.

“It’s a great honor that the Temple gave him, but it was sad to see how quickly this disease struck him,” regrets Richardson.

With The Canadian Press