NHL Alumni Association Announces New 'Borje Salming Courage Award' in Honor of the Late Hall-of-Famer and Maple Leafs Defenseman

“We are honoured to have Nicklas Lidstrom as our inaugural recipient of this award. Borje Salming’s impact in Sweden and Europe as a whole cannot be overstated. He paved a path for generations of international players to follow and achieve their dreams of playing in the National Hockey League,” said Glenn Healy, NHL Alumni Association Executive Director in a statement. “Nicklas is a true representation of what this award is all about. From supporting youth hockey initiatives to a ‘no ego’ attitude on and off the ice, he perfectly represents this award and the legacy behind it.”

Salming passed away on Nov. 24, 2022, after a battle with ALS, a disease he was diagnosed with earlier in the calendar year. he was the first European-born and trained player with 1,000 games played and still holds the career record for most goals, assists and points by a Leafs defenseman and was named as part of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. “The King”, as he was named by his teammates, was the first Swedish player and second European-born and trained player to be named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996. His No. 21 was retired by the Maple Leafs on October 15, 2016.

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