Borje Salming

Trailblazing Swedish Sámi defenceman who changed the NHL.

Anders Börje Salming (17 April 1951 – 24 November 2022) was a Swedish Sámi ice hockey player. He was a defenceman who played professionally for 23 seasons, for the clubs Brynäs IF, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and AIK. He spent 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs, who retired his number 21 in 2016. Salming holds several Maple Leafs records, including the most assists.

Quick Facts

Hall of Fame

1996

Born

17 April 1951

Birthplace

Salmi, Sweden

Died

24 November 2022

Place of death

Nacka, Sweden

Position

Defence

Shoots

Left

Played for

Brynäs IF
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
AIK Hockey

Lore & Background

Salming was one of the first European players to make an impact in the NHL, for which he is often considered a trailblazer. He was named to six consecutive NHL All-Star Teams and won the NHL All-Star Games of 1976, 1977 and 1978. In 1996, his first year of eligibility, Salming became the first European born and trained player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2017, the NHL named him one of the 100 Greatest Players. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1998 and named to the IIHF Centennial All-Star Team in 2008.

Reader's Guide

Salming was born on 17 April 1951 in the village of Salmi in what is now Kiruna Municipality. He identified as indigenous Sámi and was included in the electoral roll for Sametinget. He played with Kiruna AIF from 1967 to 1970, then Brynäs IF from 1970 to 1973, winning league championships in 1971 and 1972. The Maple Leafs signed him as a free agent on 12 May 1973. He made his NHL debut in the 1973–74 season. He played 1148 regular season games (1099 with the Leafs) and 81 playoff games, scoring 150 goals and 637 assists. After leaving the NHL, he completed his pro career with AIK. He was diagnosed with ALS in July 2022 and died on 24 November 2022.