The Swedish players of the Toronto Maple Leafs got the news of Borgy Salming’s passing before practice Thursday.
It came as a shock.
– I met him two weeks ago. It’s crazy how fast it went, says William Nylander.
The weekend before last, William Nylander handled the ceremonial signing when Porgy Salming dropped the puck inside Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena and then hugged Porgy.
Eleven days later, Porgy Salming died from the effects of ALS.
Nylander received the message from fellow Swede Kalle Jarnkrock ahead of Thursday’s practice session.
– It’s very sad. I met Porgy last week. It’s crazy how fast things went and it’s hard to comprehend. I was taken to bed. It’s a terrible disease, Nylander tells TSN, but now he won’t suffer any more.
“terrible disease”
Defender Rasmus Sandin, 22, is too young to see Porgy Salming play hockey live, but he has watched YouTube videos and in recent years has also had the privilege of getting to know Porgy as a person.
– It was incredibly big. Sandeen says he is someone I always looked up to.
Fellow behind Timothy Lillgren filling in:
Borghi was a legend who paved the way for European players. As a Swede, I feel this in my heart, he says.
“Everyone saw what he meant.”
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ tribute to Börje Salming’s memory the weekend before last was remarkable and another tribute to the icon’s greatness at the club.
Everyone saw what he meant to this club, to all his teammates and everyone around him. William Nylander says he’s someone you look up to and want to try to emulate.
Today is a very difficult day, but we are happy that Borghi was able to come here so that the club and the fans can show their appreciation. It was obvious how much he meant Toronto and hockey in general. But yeah, it’s a tough day and I’m struggling with his family and relatives, says guard Eric Calgren.