Toronto Maple Leaf Legend gets emotional when talking about Borje Salming after tribute last night
Before the Toronto Maple Leafs introduced the 2022 Hall of Fame Class last night, they honoured some of the franchises own hall of famers. Darryl Sittler and Mats Sundin both received nice applause from the crowd.
The biggest applause however was set aside for one of if not the best defender in Leafs history, Borje Salming. He skated for Toronto for sixteen consecutive seasons. Fans during the mid-seventies and eighties who watched him play say he was a joy to watch play.
Salming has ALS and had to be supported by Sittler and Sundin during the ceremony. What was so inspiring about the moment was to see Salming's response to the crowds love for him. To see Salming smile and be happy despite his recent health difficulties was truly a nice moment. It was an emotional moment for many fans, the current skaters on the bench, as well as former players including Darryl Sittler who was in tears.
Sittler commented after the ceremony:
Let's hope Salming savored the moment as best he could and enjoyed the ceremony. That guy deserves it. It was heartbreaking to see him in a weakened stated and you have to wish the best for him. Cheers to the Toronto fans who applauded Borje for an extended period of time. That was a class act.
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532130.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
