Borje Salming was born in 1951 in Kiruna Sweden. He wore #21 playing defence for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Salming played for 16 seasons with Toronto from 1973 to 1989. He came to the Leafs from Sweden signing as a free agent.
Salming was one of the first pioneering Europeans to not only play in the NHL. But to be successful on Toronto`s roster. Salming was tested by other teams for his skill and toughness many times at the beginning of his career, to see how he would react to the north American play.
Because Salming was good at handling the puck and play, like a quarter back he would frustrate the opposition to take penalties against him.
Salming became a fan favourite in a short time, clearing his end of the rink as a defenceman efficiently and pinching in from the blue line to help out his forwards. He played on the power play and the penalty kill. Salming was known to be able to catch an opponent from behind after a broken play, with a sliding poke check.
In 1976 during the Canada Cup, team Sweden was playing team Canada at Maple Leaf gardens. When the players were introduced, Salming`s name was called out and the fans gave him a standing ovation that lasted over 5 minutes.
