Borje Salming

Borje Salming was a fearless and skilled defenseman who helped open the doors for European players in the NHL. Born in Sweden, Salming joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1973 and quickly proved he could excel in the North American game. Over 16 seasons in Toronto, he became one of the most respected and beloved players in franchise history.

Salming was known for his smooth skating, sharp hockey IQ, and immense toughness—often playing through injuries while logging heavy minutes. He was a 6-time All-Star, and in 1996, he became the first Swedish player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Salming played 1,148 NHL games, scoring 768 points and helping redefine the modern two-way defenseman.

Salming's Awards and Records

• 6× NHL All-Star (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982)
• Toronto Maple Leafs franchise record:Most assists by a defenseman (620)
• Retired as the NHL’s highest-scoring European defenseman at the time
• Honored with a statue on Legends Row at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto

NHL Records

• First Swedish-born player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
• One of the first European players to become a full-time NHL star

NHL Teams:

Toronto Maple Leafs (1973-89)
Detroit Red Wings (1989-90)