Legendary Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Passes Away

The Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan made a statement after legendary defenseman Borjie Salming passed away:

Borjie Salming was 71 years old and spent the majority of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs until 1989.

Salming is credited with helping to create a path for Swedish players in NHL, after joining the league in 1973 and destroying the outdated consensus that European players lacked the grit to make it in the NHL.

Salming had a storied NHL career playing three consecutive All-Star Games in 1976, 1977, and 1978 and the second All-Star Team in 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980.

Salming's NHL totals are: 1,148 career games with the Maple Leafs and Red Wings, posting 150 goals and 787 points.