Toronto Maple Leafs legend Borje Salming was honored ahead of Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of Hall of Fame Weekend and received a special tribute before Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks. Salming, who became the first Swedish player inducted into the Hall in 1996, traveled to Toronto to attend the festivities. He was escorted onto the ice Friday by fellow Maple Leafs Mats Sundin and Darryl Sittler and received a lengthy standing ovation. A teary-eyed Sittler helped Salming raise his hand to appreciate the fans. Saturday’s ceremony was dedicated entirely to Salming, with a video montage recapping his incredible career. Salming then dropped the puck for the ceremonial faceoff between Swede William Nylander of the Maple Leafs and Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Canucks. Toronto’s starting lineup included six Swedish players in another nod to Salming. The 71-year-old is battling ALS and recently revealed that he has lost the ability to speak. It’s a monumental weekend for Swedish hockey as Daniel Alfredsson, along with Daniel and Henrik Sedin, headline this year’s Hall of Fame class. Roberto Luongo, Finnish women’s superstar Riikka Sallinen and the late Herb Carnegie round out the rest of the 2022 cohort. “It’s very clear to me that he’s a proud Maple Leaf,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Salming before Friday’s game. “I was new to many years of his career and many before I was even born, but you still feel his impact, even more so now in my current role.” “It’s a big part of the tradition and the history here,” added Maple Leafs captain John Tavares. Maple Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin also spoke to reporters about the impact Salming had on him as a teammate of the Swedish player, telling reporters he took him to lunch in Stockholm in 2018 and warned him about his indifferent media Toronto. Sandin added that Salming has the full support of the Maple Leafs in his battle with ALS. The story continues “It’s an icon back in Sweden, here in Toronto. I had the opportunity to meet him a few times and talk to him. He’s just an icon and a guy you just look up to,” Sandin said. Sandin also revealed that Salming was his dad’s favorite player growing up. Salming made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs in 1973-74 and quickly emerged as one of the best defensemen of his generation. He played 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs, earning six All-Star selections while recording 148 goals and 768 points with the franchise before playing his final year with the Detroit Red Wings in 1988-89. More from Yahoo Sports
