Borje Salming

Anders Börje Salming was a Swedish Sámi ice hockey defenceman who lived from 17 April 1951 to 24 November 2022 and played professionally for 23 seasons. He suited up for Brynäs IF, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Detroit Red Wings, and AIK, spending 16 of those seasons with the Maple Leafs. Toronto retired his number 21 in 2016, and he holds several franchise records, including the most assists.

Salming was one of the first European players to make an impact in the National Hockey League and is often regarded as a trailblazer. He was named to six consecutive NHL All-Star Teams and played on the winning sides of the NHL All-Star Games of 1976, 1977, and 1978. On several occasions he was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Internationally, Salming represented the Sweden men's national team, winning silver and bronze medals at the Ice Hockey World Championships. He also appeared in three Canada Cups and at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

In 1996, in 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 in the first century of the league.