‘I will remain positive,’ Maple Leafs great Borje Salming reveals ALS diagnosis

The Toronto Maple Leafs revealed on Wednesday that legendary defenceman Borje Salming has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The Toronto Maple Leafs revealed on Wednesday that former defenceman Borje Salming has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

In a statement from Salming, shared by the team on social media, he says “signs that indicated that something was wrong in my body turned out to be the disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig´s disease.”

“In an instant, everything changed. I do not know how the days ahead will be, but I understand that there will be challenges greater than anything I have ever faced.”

The 71-year-old Salming acknowledged there is no cure for the disease, but says he and his family remain hopeful that existing treatments will be able to slow its progression.

“Please keep us in your prayers,” reads the statement. “When the time is right and I understand more about my condition and future journey, I will reach out. So, until such a time, we kindly refrain from all contact.”

ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that leads to paralysis, the inability to swallow, and respiratory failure, usually in two to five years from the onset of symptoms. The ALS Society of Canada estimates that 3,000 Canadians live with the disease.

Salming is receiving treatment in his native Sweden, where there are more than 800 patients living with ALS.

The Swedish defenceman played 16 years with the Maple Leafs, from 1973 to 1989, and is generally regarded as one of the greatest who ever laced up skates for the franchise. He is the franchise leader in career assists, and leads all defenceman in career goals and points.

He is notably one of the first European players to make a significant impact in the National Hockey League (NHL). Paving the way for a future wave of Swedish and European stars in the league.

Salming was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996.


With files from The Canadian Press

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