gold star for USAHOF

5. Borje Salming

5. Borje Salming

Borje Salming was not just one of the first hockey players from Scandinavia to play in the NHL, but the Swedish Defenseman was the first from his region to emerge as a superstar on the NHL level.

Salming signed with Toronto in 1973, but not much was expected as the NHL and North America generally viewed Europeans as soft and unable to maintain the rigors of their league.  Salming immediately proved the naysayers wrong,  scoring 39 Points as a rookie and finishing fifth for the Norris.

In the six years that followed, Salming was either a Second Team or First All-Star, and while he was never a Norris Trophy winner, he was never lower than fourth in the voting.  From 1976-77 to 1979-80, Salming netted at least 70 Points, and he forever changed the perception of what Europeans could accomplish in the NHL.

Salming played with Toronto until the 1988-89 season, and he had one final year in the NHL as a Detroit Red Wing.  With the Leafs, Salming played 1,099 Games, scoring 787 Points. 

Salming’s overall play in the NHL laid the groundwork that other Swedish and European players followed.  He entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996, and his name was honored at Air Canada Center in 2006.  Ten years later, his #21 was officially retired by the team.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Defence
  • Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent 5/12/73.
  • Departed: Signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Red Wings 6/12/89.
  • Games Played: 1,099
  • Notable Statistics:

    148 Goals
    620 Assists 
    768 Points 
    1,292 PIM 
    .70 PPG 
    +150 Plus/Minus
    109.1 Point Shares 

    81 Playoff Games
    12 Goals
    37 Assists 
    49 Points 
    91 PIM 
    .61 PPG 
    -11 Plus/Minus

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    First Team All-Star (1977)
    Second Team All-Star (1975, 1976, 1978, 1979 & 1980)
    All-Star (1976, 1977 & 1978)

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