This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/20/2024
Signed as a free agent by the Toronto Maple Leafs on 12 May 1973, Borje Salming would spend 16 seasons with the Blue and White, with NHL All-Star Game appearances in 1976, 1977 and 1979. Salming is also the all-time franchise leader in points, goals and assists for defenceman.
This Salming Assistant Captains blue CCM game used road jersey from the 1986- 87 season, sports the King Clancy Memorial patch the club wore after his death during the season. This particular set was worn during the first half of the season, as you notice the Clancy patch was sewn too close to the Leaf shoulder patch and the sleeve number making it hard to see properly. This was corrected and properly spaced for the second half of the year. The CCM born on tagging in the collar reads 86 01 for the date of manufacture, also denotes first half use for January 1986. The photo reference is seen with Salming wearing the Clancy patch jammed in between the numbers and leaf shoulder crest in the photo. The next photo is of Salming wearing the corrected location for the patch during the second half of the season. Both cuffs of this Salming gamer show broken threads and heavy fraying. The jersey patch and numbers show signs of several washings and dry cleaning as well as several loose threads and fraying areas. The back also shows loose threads near the collar and nameplate. Material runs round out the outside use on this Hall of Fame jersey. The inside shows heavy pilling to both elbows and under arm areas. The fight strap is done in typical Leafs fashion having been sewn over the one from CCM. This is a great chance to own a Borje Salming Assistant Captains jersey with the very special Clancy patch.
Salming will forever be considered not just one of the best defensemen of his era, but of all time. Going against the stigma around European players in hockey, Salming was a fierce warrior on the ice, demonstrating a physicality and fearlessness that blew people away. He was a two-time runner-up for the Norris Trophy for the league's best defenseman, finishing his NHL career with 150 goals and 637 assists for 787 points in 1,148 career games.
On January 4 1988, Salming became the first European born and trained player to appear in 1,000 career NHL games. In recognition of his achievement, on January 27, Salming's 1,011th game, he was gifted a car driven onto the ice by his parents and friend Inge Hammarström in a surprise pre-game ceremony, inspired by a similar ceremony given by the Philadelphia Flyers to Bill Barber.
In 1996, his first year of eligibility, Salming became the first European born and trained player inducted into the and in 2017, the NHL named Salming one of the in the first century of the league.
Salming played internationally for the , winning silver and bronze medals at the . He also played at three and the . In recognition of his international career, Salming was inducted into the in 1998, and named to the in 2008.