Former Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom spoke with Aftonbladet regarding Borje Salming’s ALS diagnosis, and Lidstrom, Daniel Alfredsson and Anders Hedberg also spoke with Expressen’s Svante Storlinge and Linus Summervik regarding the news. What follows is roughly translated from Swedish:
“Borje, thinking of you in this difficult time”
Greetings have poured in for Borje Salming after the announcement that he’s been affected by ALS.
Both defensive giant Nicklas Lidstrom and NHL pioneer Anders Hedberg have sent their support to Salming.
“You’ve been my idol for all these years, and I know that you will fight with everything you can against this terrible disease the way you fought on the ice,” writes Lidstrom in a text message to SportExpressen.
The ice hockey legend Bore Salming announced on Wednesday, via the Swedish news agency TT, that he’s suffering from ALS.
The nervous system disease, which he himself explains, “lacks a cure.”
“I have received news that’s shaken my life and that of my family,” says the 71-year-old in a statement.
After the announcement, greetings have flowed onto social media, among other places.
His long time NHL team the Toronto Maple Leafs sent a greeting:
“The Toronto Maple Leafs and our fans around the world send our love and support to Borje,” they write on Twitter.
“Lidas” greets Salming.
The well-known NHL reporters Chris Johnston, Frank Seravalli and Elliotte Friedman also greet Borje on the platform.
“Millions of fans wish Salming all the best. A very popular player who changed the sport himself,” writes Friedman.
“Brutal news, all strength to Borje,” writes Seravalli.
“I send my strength to Borje’s family,” Johnston writes.
Even the legendary Swedish defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who won several Stanley Cup titles, Norris Trophies and medals with the Tre Kronor, greets Borje:
“Borje, I’m thinking of you during this tough time. You have been my idol all these years, and I know you will fight with all you can against this horrible disease as you fought on the ice. You have always been my role model,” he says to Borje Salming in a text message to SportExpressen.
A teammate of Lidstrom, the ice hockey icon Daniel Alfredsson, also sends a greeting via the Hockey News:
“He paved the way for us Swedes and perhaps also Europeans with his way of playing. He is truly one of the pioneers among us, “says “Alfie.”
Anders Hedberg, who played for the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Rangers in the NHL in the 1970’s and 1980’s, while Borje Salming played for Toronto, is also shocked by the news.
“We are the same age, so you’re in the same generation and the same age group. You know each other…Not like brothers, but you know each other well,” says Hedberg to TT.
Anders Hedberg: “Now we stick together!”
Hedberg and Salming were, among other things, part of Sweden’s Canada Cup team in 1976.
“It’s only to be trusted that he will receive the absolute best possible expert care available in our country. Then he relies on science and the knowledge that exists,” says Hedberg.
Hedberg states that Salming can now use the ingredients that distinguish him: optimism and enjoyment of life.
“He will do that. That’s how he played. His whole persona is optimistic,” says Hedberg.
Hedberg continues:
“Start, drive hard. Now we stick together.”
Toronto’s largest newspaper, the Toronto Sun, is currently topping its website with news about Salming. In the comments section of the Maple Leafs’ Instagram account, the Toronto Blue Jays show their support, as does the hockey pro Tie Domi.
