Börje Salming, du är en enorm förebild för tusentals människor i och utanför Sverige. Våra tankar går till dig och din familj 👏❤️🇸🇪

And then he was gone. Thank you for the elegance, bravery, and skill I saw in my youth. You were at times the only good thing we had on the ice...a holdover of that promising team in the mid-70s. The scars on your face...oh boy. A warrior. Thank you for your courage - breaking down the walls of bigotry and narrow-mindedness in North American hockey. And finally, thank you for your grace - to stand once more in our presence and give us the opportunity to honour you. I hope it made you feel better in some ways. You were so loved. You belong to the ages now.

Seeing Darryl next to him broke me 😭 so much love between those two

So sad to see Salming like this. He was such an amazing talented player back in the day, both for the Leafs and the Swedish national team....and played with a hell of a lot of competitive spirit.

I’m 27 and love this man, my dad said he was wicked. So sad to see him like this. God bless him

Welcome home Borje, Toronto Loves You

Broke my heart to see Salming like that.

I remember a radio program on Swedish Radio a couple of years ago when Börje talked about how he would like to die... The way he wanted to go was encountering a bear in the forest. Very powerful, I will never forget it.

The regular pre-game banter stopped tonight. I tried to hide my emotion, and my tears from my wife and I couldn't, and when I saw that Sittler was crying as well I just let it go. My wife let me alone, and I started thinking about my dad who is 85 and not doing well. Salming was a beast, 250 stitches to close up his face, tough as nails, fit as hell. I hated seeing him like this, but I know he is still sharp as a tack and knew what was happening tonight. What a great player, man, and Leaf!

Salming was one of the toughest and best defencemen that ever put on a Leafs jersey. #21

Thank you Toronto, for giving Borje Salming this evening.

I was at the game last night and when Borje reacted to the crowd, that was it. I and everyone around me started crying. What a legend. To see him going through this is heartbreaking.

Huge respect from Finland to Börje Salming. It's hard to believe his gone but I'm so glad he was able to receive this honor just before he passed away. Hugs to his nation Sweden and his second home (Toronto)

I really got emotional, we love you Börje Salming, in Sweden and all over the world ❤️

I used to watch the Leafs play my Habs back in the '70's. Hated Salming (because he was so good and always gave us trouble). The years go by and you realize that all these guys are brothers and just trying to do the best for their respective teams. So sad to see Borje suffering this way and seeing Sittler crying his eyes out just crushed me.

Kudos to Sittler for helping him raise his hand as high as he wanted to, that's true comradery right there.

Came here right after hearing of his passing earlier today. This tribute was so moving, beautiful. RIP King. #Legend

It's impossible not to cry while watching this now

Börje Salming will probably not be amongst us, in the nearest future 😢 As his countryman, im sad 😢 He is one of our most beloved hockey players of all times!

I became a LA Kings and Hockey fan in 1971. Not many games on TV then but on a game of week in the mid seventies on channel 4 the Maple Leafs vs the Black Hawks and I saw this lanky Swedish defenseman control play and that player became one of my all time favorites. Mr. Salming I know you're going through tough times now but know you brought alot of joy to people around the Hockey world. Thank You - Standing O from me.

My grandfather was taken by this horrible disease also at the age of 71… we love you Salming!!!

Oh man it is so sad to see Börje like this. I only met him once here in Stockholm, randomly at a casual lunch restaurant when my friend and me were leaving, where he politely asked if he and his friend could take over our seats. He then shook my hand as a thank you (pre-covid of course), I was 24 years old at the time and did not mention or acknowledge that I knew who he was. That was most likely the way he treated anyone, so I really really regret not mentioning anything to him. I am certain that that most Swedish people have been keeping their mouth shut as well, so I am grateful that he is also a part of the Canadian dynasty and that you in some sense are recognizing him as one of yours. Thank you for that! I also saw Lidström at a small restaurant at the country side last Summer and said nothing. I just did not wish to impose, really hope I do not have to regret that either, but somehow I reckon that he is more aware and known than Salming (sadly) and hears it more often.

A decade and a half on the Maple Leaf blue line. A real hard man and great player.

Darryl hugging Him Broke Me😢🙏💙

I don’t even care that the Leafs lost, this was a truly special moment. ALS is such a devastating disease that has taken too many lives. It was beautiful to see Börje at the Hall of Fame night in Toronto. Beyond thankful for the Leafs giving Börje the spotlight and for creating a heartbreaking but also beautiful moment that Leafs fans will never forget. God bless this legend. ♥️

Rest In Peace Borje!

Mr. Salming you were the best, my favourite Maple Leaf of all time..

I'm 62yrs old and a lifelong Bruins fan. It is an honor to see all 4 of these hockey legends once again. God bless each and every one of these gentlemen. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️✌️😎

Beautiful and touching video. Sittler and Sundin were having a really hard time keeping it together. This is what men should be like. Willing to show emotion when it matters.

Im not a leafs fan by any means, but seeing the fans cheering and clapping. Seeing Darryl Sittler helping Salming was an absolute heart breaker. Incredible ceremony Toronto!

He gave his life to the game. Yes he did. I hope he never forgets that moment.

Didn't think I could cry anymore after i let my dog go to heaven yesterday...I was wrong, what a legend...😪. Terrible to see him in this shape, but a beautiful moment at the same time. You make us swedes proud.

Bruin's fan here. What a great player he was.

27 tearing up teared me up. 21 is a legend.

Darryl Stiller is such a class act . I used to live in North Toronto . Stilller came into the post office when me and my wife had a store inside and he greeted me in a very humble manner. He started talking to the lady in line and then I saw him go to his car to get a picture of him, while he was playing, autographed it and gave it to the lady. What was funny was that when he went out to his car I told the chinese postal office worker that it was a Canadian legendary hockey player named Darryl Stiller and when she saw his name after he wrote it on his postage material... she yelled across the post office ... it is Darryl Stiller !!! ... you were right !!!.. Darryl just stood that with a little smile.... I love how he shows his true character here ... God bless Boris Salming a truly great man .... I wish him the very best in his struggles. Two real fine examples of humanity.

A piece of my childhood standing shoulder to shoulder....God bless that man in his fight.

OMG . I am balling right now! Seeing Sittler, Mats, Lanny, And Borje, brought so much emotion.

The man is a legend. He was such a talented player and powerhouse. Thank you for all that you have done for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Had no idea his condition was so bad. Wish him and his family all the best.

Rest in peace, Börje. So happy you got this standing ovation while you were alive! ❤

Not a dry eye in the place. So cool. Sittler was emotional. Very classy guy as well. Hard to watch Mr Salming in this condition, he was one of the best Leafs ever. Not particularly a Leaf’s fan but I can definitely appreciate the outpouring of love going on there. God bless all those guys. And Lanny still has the “Stache”. Love it!!!!!

So honored to be in the building for this moment.

when im reading all coments i cry a bit,what an support to one of the most iconic hockey player ever played in NHL,awesome

My 2 favourite Leaf players ever ,Salming and Sittler! I remember the standing ovation Borje got playing for Team Sweden 🇸🇪 against Team Canada 🇨🇦 in the 1976 Canada Cup at Maple Leaf Gardens. It went on for a good 5 minutes and probably would’ve went on maybe another 10 minutes if the anthem singer didn’t cut in !

Highest scoring defenseman in Maple Leafs history. I'm pretty sure that he would be top 5 if not best, in blocked shots. That man was fearless on the ice, with excellent timing and vision. I'm happy that the Toronto Maple Leafs did this for him.

God bless you Borje Salming…….the best to ever do it on the Leafs blue line

Watching those two guys when I was a kid was thoroughly amazing

I cried watching this. I'm a massive hockey fan from Sweden and what he did for swedish hockey is mega. May he find his peace. True legend!

In the mid to late seventies this man was a hero to me. He was a Relentless strong defenseman that could skate Like the Wind. It's very sad to see him in this state but I am happy that he was able to come and be respected the way he should by the Toronto fans this is fantastic. God bless you to find the strength to be honored. You will always be remembered..

True swedish legend! When i was a little boy and played hockey, this man was man inspiration!

Good on Leaf fans. Sittler and Sundin made me tear up. Salming deserves the reverence.

Börje Salming has always been a big idol for me. So humble, determined and talented! Here in Sweden, Börje is highly valued and has for a long time been a role model for sportsmen/athletes, regardless of sport. ALS though... Heartbreaking to see Börje like this.

Lived in Toronto between 1970 to 1976...Salming was fantastic player...and one hell of a defenceman.....a true icon of his sport...

Imagine what it takes for him to just stand there. A fighter in heart! Mad respect for everything he's done. 👍

One of the greatest. All my respect from Montreal

Salming is a pioneer for Swedish hockey, playing in an era when his toughness was not appreciated. The Sedins and Alfredsson enter the Hall of Fame this weekend on the road that Salming paved for them and other Swedish hockey players.

Börje Salming! An amazing hockeyplayer with the biggest heart you can imagine. We Swedes are so proud of this fantastic man and its heartbreaking to see him struggle with ALS. Love you Börje Salming and thanks for everything you have done for swedish hockey.

This was great and heartbreaking at the same time

Rest in paradise legend!!!

A true legend and pride for all of us in Sweden. I remember as a little kid watching him get that standing ovation from the Canadian fans when Sweden was to play Canada at the Canada Cup in 1976. I also remember meeting him in person just a few years back, humble, friendly and fun as he always is and he looked as if he could join any team still with that remarkable physique of his. Even though I'm much younger, I felt like as if I was an old man standing next to him. It's sad to see this horrible disease grabbing a hold of him, but it won't break his spirit. He is for sure one of the strongest human beings out there. Nothing but love and respect for him, my childhood hero. Leafs fans call him King, I always refer to him as God of hockey. Totally flawless and such an inspiration.

Left it all on the ice. Wish I could be half the man he is.

This is very very tough. It's unfair and heart wrenching. Salming is a great man, a class act all the way. He is showing incredible heart and courage

Börje Salming - The Legend. I remebered the standing ovantion before USA-SWE Canada Cup-76. We didn´t know how big he was in the NHL and TML. It was emotional. He played many years for my fav team here in Sweden, Brynäs IF. One of the best and greatest players, from Sweden, hockey ever had.

Rest up legend

RIP sir. You are such an inspiration and have helped many Swedes find their home in the NHL. I watched this live and now you are gone. Sad sad day. Tack för allt

Wow, that’s moment I will never forget! That’s just AMAZING to see.

Börje Salming, such a incredibly strong, humble, kind and fierce man. He is one of the best, not just in hockey but one of the best men out there. We love him so much and to see the quick brutal progression of his ALS is devastating. Just know we love you, Börje!

As I swede I grew up seeing him as a national hero, alongside Peter forsberg. Though it is painful to see him suffer from ALS and loosing his ability to speak I am happy that he is still able to travel and see that Canada has not forgotten him.

As a Swede who has seen him here in Sweden so many times lately I was shocked to learn about his illness and how fast everything has gone.

Rest in Peace Borje. You will never be forgotten. you created the culture of bringing together Europe and North American ice hockey together. Rest well.

Born and raised in Detroit, spent my life around hockey. Never a leafs fan but I love the history of this sport. The teams and players that made this game great. Another legendary career gets the recognition it deserves.

It really is sad to see Salming like this, he looked in amazing shape just a few years ago and in a span of a few months it's taken hold of him in such a brutal way. What a horrible disease ALS is. But I'm glad he's able to hear the roaring crowd for maybe the last time and Leafs fans young or old will always support him.

There's a special bond between Canadian and Swedish ice hockey. Legends 4ever.

The King always here in Toronto! ❤

Even as a leaf hater to see Sittler and Lanny and Sundin break down like that was very emotional. What a great defenseman he was.

The love of the game and it’s players… lasts forever!

You won’t get more class standing side by side than, Sittler, Salming and Sundin ❤️

He took some much crap from other players and took it like a true pro. He earned his respect by his magnificent play. A great player.

He meant so much to my dad. I remember watching him as a kid. The King for ever and always

Legend.

Guy was an absolute warrior when he played, and continues to be as he battles ALS. I was fighting back tears watching Sittler get emotional, just shows the comradery the NHL used to have.

I'm not a fan of hockey any more, but there was a time when I was a huge fan. Showed up at the Gardens every weekend to get autographs from the players as they headed into practice. And standing there are the players who were part of my hockey world. Salming was amazing, a legend. Sittler crying along with him was so emotional. Great to see McDonald is still sporting that 'stache!

Tough to watch but the Great Swede had a lot of guts . I remember him and Inge Hamistrum being drafted by the Leafs. Former teammate Sittler. That was great. Glad he was there. He may not be around much longer because of that vicious disease.

I can tell this man was a monster on the ice was a treat and an honor to get to watch him live and on TV. This brought me too tears.............

RIP Börje, you didn't deserve to go this early

His health drastically changed this year! Absolute warrior

Courageous doesn’t even begin to describe this man’s character.

Watched last night from NJ and could barely keep it together watching one of my childhood heroes show such strength and dignity. Seeing Sundin and Sittler cry was a lot. Nylander looked very emotional as well. "21" was incredible to watch as a kid. Watching him and Ian Turnbull come up the ice was amazing. Salming skated like Bobby Orr and that team deserved a better fate.

God bless Toronto Maple Leaf Borje Salming. Glad he received such well-deserved recognition !

As a Mtl Canadiens fan, I was lucky to witness great players in Mtl but I also had a great amount of respect for Sittler who was so beautiful to watch skating and Salming had also a special style. Heart breaking to see him like that!

Im no Leafs fan but what a touching momment seeing one of the great Leafs. . He was one hell of a player and seeing him this way is hard to see .🙏🙏☝

That Leafs team should have been so much more. Borje was the first player to impress me with his fearless shot blocking. Pure Legend.

What a legend! Makes me love hockey even more! 🇸🇪🤝🇨🇦

So glad to see Borje getting all the love he rightfully deserves, such a legend. The game needs to cherish having guys like him around as long as possible

Im so happy for him because of this moment, but at the same time its breaking my heart! Börje, you brave legend!

This is heartbreaking. The man was fearless when he played and showed up for every battle. I idolized him for how he played the game and how he faced every challenge even when he knew he was going to take a beating. I'm getting those same feelings again. I'm hoping for a miracle.

When Sport is discussed here in Sweden and the greatest are talked about, Börje Salming is always mentioned. His contribution to Swedish Hockey and sport in general is unmatched. He's also been a great and kind man outside of hockey. This was very difficult to watch, seeing how much ALS is already affecting him. I'm so glad that he was able to experience this ceremony. Thank you for everything, Börje!

Rest in peace Börje, so glad he got to do this before he sadly passed this evening.. What a legend ❤️

Gud välsigne dig Börje! Du är en superstjärna och kommer för alltid vara synonymt med Toronto och NHL

Broke my heart to watch this😢Börje is such a legend and the disease is so terrible 😞