Swedish Ice Hockey icon Bojre Salming passes away

The world mourns the death of Swedish hockey icon Börje Salming, who was an inspiration to generations of ice hockey players and beyond.

Salming always put the team above himself, which made him a household name in Sweden and Canada.

This legendary defenseman spent 16 seasons at Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1970s and ’80s and paved the way for many European players to join the NHL.

He became the first Swedish player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Salming was also a stalwart in the Swedish national team and was named one of the International Ice Hockey Federation Centennial All-Star Team players in 2008.

Social media was swept with grief and condolences for the late ice hockey superstar Börje Salming, Frank Spadone, the famous actor, entertainer and comedian while sharing his grief over the death of Salming shared a Facebook post with the caption wording, “Those of you who know me, my buddies growing up, know who my hockey idol and hero was growing up.

I was born on the 21st, and that’s why I wore the number 21. I mimicked him, diving in front of shots, yelling, “Salming!”. This is a pic of a jersey I bought when I was about 17 years old and still keep in my closet next to my “good clothes”. I once went to a game in my 20s with my buddy Dave, and we went to the McDs near Maple Leaf Gardens. I was by the window downing a Big Mac when none other than Borje Salming walked by. I jump out of my seat, trying to get his attention, and he notices me wearing his jersey and gives me a thumbs up.

I’ll never forget that day and all the memories of watching @bjsalming and the @mapleleafs with my late father. Thank you, Borje, my hockey hero. Condolences to his family, teammates, and fans who loved him. RIP #21.”