The King’s
tale
1148 NHL GAMES | 787 POINTS | 6’1” | 700 STITCHES | 1973-1989 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS | NHL ALL STAR | HOCKEY ALL OF FAME | CANADA CUP ALL-STAR TEAM | 1951-2022
This is the story of a man who refused to step aside, a man who played hockey like his life depended on it and made a name we’ll remember forever. This is the story of the defenseman from northern Sweden who flew across the Atlantic and became a king in Toronto.
1973. Börje Salming had made a name for himself in the city of Gävle, securing a spot as a defenseman for Brynäs IF Hockey Club. His way of playing – always giving everything for the team – quickly made fans fall in love with him. But Börje’s combination of strength, skating ability, and hockey sense also attracted attention from abroad. A talent scout named Gerry MacNamara saw something truly special in Börje, and when he asked if Salming wanted to play in the NHL, the answer was immediate and without hesitation: yes.
The rest, as they say, is history. And what a history it is!
Börje signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the early 1970s, it was extremely rare to see European players in the NHL – even more so Swedish ones. Many in North America were skeptical of European players, seeing them as skilled but physically weak. Salming shattered that stereotype. Already in his first season, he earned the respect of fans and teammates alike with his fearless style of play, his willingness to block shots, and his readiness to stand up for the team – all while continuing to produce points.
Over his 16 seasons with the Leafs, Salming became one of the club’s most iconic figures. Out of his total 1,148 games in the NHL, he played 1,099 in a Leafs jersey, tallying 768 points for the team – an impressive feat for a defenseman. He was selected to the NHL All-Star team multiple times and, in 1996, became the first European NHL player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame – a recognition of his historic impact. He never won the Stanley Cup, but he won the love from both teammates and fans for his heart, loyalty, and relentless fighting spirit.
Börje Salming’s career also came with its share of setbacks. He was frequently subjected to brutal hits, sticks to the face, and serious injuries – most notably in 1986 when a skate blade cut his face and he received over 200 stitches. Yet he returned to the ice shortly afterward, further cementing his reputation as one of the toughest players in the league. He proudly bore the nickname “The King” – a title earned, never given.
Off the ice, Salming was a cherished friend and well known for looking after new players joining the team. One who can attest to this is Mats Sundin, who himself played 13 seasons with the Maple Leafs. Mats once said, “His greatness lay in being such an amazing person to everyone around him.” He was a beloved father and husband, often appearing in the media as a grounded and warm individual. His impact on Swedish hockey is hard to overstate – he paved the way for generations of Swedish NHL players and proved that Swedes could compete with the very best.
You can’t write about Börje without mentioning the end. In August 2022, Börje Salming publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with the incurable neurological disease ALS. It marked the beginning of a period in which the entire hockey world rallied around him. That fall, he was honored several times – notably in Toronto, where he received standing ovations during an emotional ceremony. Even as the disease progressed rapidly, he showed the same courage in his final battle as he had always shown on the ice.
On November 24, 2022, Börje Salming passed away at the age of 71. We can’t stop time or rewind it, but we can remember everything we shared with Börje. He has been honored so many times. Deservedly so.
And completing the Salming 1148 watch is yet another tribute – to his memory, and to the team that still remains loyal to its King.
