Börje Salming: The Swedish Trailblazer Who Redefined NHL Defence

When Börje Salming arrived in Toronto in 1973, few in the NHL were prepared for what the Swedish defenceman would bring. At a time when European players were still viewed with skepticism, Salming’s combination of toughness, poise, and two-way excellence quickly shattered the old stereotypes and opened the door for generations of European stars who followed.

Signed from Brynäs IF, one of Sweden’s premier clubs, Salming made an immediate impact with the Maple Leafs. His smooth skating, elite vision, and willingness to battle in the gritty corners of the rink made him a fan favourite from the moment he stepped on the ice. Toronto had never seen a defenceman quite like him and soon, neither had the rest of the league.

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Salming became one of the NHL’s premier blueliners. He set new standards for offensive production from the defence position, highlighted by a franchise-record season in 1976-77 when he posted 78 points, a Maple Leafs record for a defenceman that stood for decades. Yet Salming’s game was never just about numbers. His courage and resilience made him a symbol of pride in Toronto, especially during the rougher, more physical era of the league.

Despite facing intense abuse from opponents and fans early in his career, often rooted in anti-European bias, Salming earned universal respect for his durability. One of the more iconic moments came in 1986, when he received a horrific facial cut from a skate yet returned to play soon after, reinforcing a toughness that even his harshest critics could not deny.

When he left the Maple Leafs in 1989, he did so as one of the most beloved players in franchise history. His impact extended far beyond Toronto: Salming helped change the NHL’s perception of European talent, paving the way for modern superstars from Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and more.

In 1996, Salming became the first Swedish player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing his place as both a Maple Leafs legend and a global hockey pioneer.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Börje Salming

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Börje Salming was a pioneering NHL star from which country?

Sweden
Finland
Norway
Denmark

2. Salming is best known for his long NHL career with which team?

Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
Vancouver Canucks
Los Angeles Kings

3. Which major honour did Börje Salming achieve in 1996?

Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Winning the Norris Trophy
Winning the Stanley Cup
Coaching the Swedish National Team

4. Börje Salming set a Maple Leafs record for most points in a season by a defenceman in which decade?

1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s

5. Before joining the Maple Leafs, Salming starred for which Swedish club?

HV71
Brynäs IF
Färjestad BK
Djurgårdens IF

Bruce Boudreau’s Lone NHL Hat Trick Comes Against the Minnesota North Stars

When most hockey fans think of Bruce Boudreau, it’s for his work behind the bench rather than on the ice. But on December 16, 1977, “Gabby” had the best game of his NHL playing career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boudreau had proven his scoring touch in junior with the Toronto Marlboros (68 goals) and in the AHL with the St. Catharines Saints (50 goals). In the NHL, his best season came in 1977-78 when he tallied 11. Three of those came on one memorable night in Minnesota.

The Leafs were flying high early that season while the North Stars were struggling badly. Toronto rolled to an 8-5 win, and Boudreau was the star.

• His first goal came at 12:00 of the second period, assisted by Börje Salming and Tiger Williams, putting Toronto ahead 3-1.

• Just minutes later, Ron Ellis and Salming set up his second to make it 4-2.

• Early in the third, with Minnesota’s Tom Younghans in the box for hooking, Boudreau buried his hat trick goal on the power play for what proved to be the game-winner.

Salming finished with five assists, three of them on Boudreau’s goals, while Toronto peppered Pete LoPresti with 37 shots.

Boudreau would go on to play 141 regular season and nine playoff games in the NHL with Toronto and Chicago. His legacy, however, would be built as a coach, where he won championships in the ECHL and AHL and became one of the most colorful personalities behind an NHL bench, even if a Stanley Cup title still eludes him.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Bruce Boudreau

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. In which season did Bruce Boudreau score his only NHL hat trick?
   1976-77
   1977-78
   1978-79
   1979-80
   
2. Which Hall of Fame defenseman assisted on all three of Boudreau’s goals in that hat trick game?
   Börje Salming
   Brad Park
   Denis Potvin
   Larry Robinson
   
3. How many regular season NHL games did Bruce Boudreau play in his career?
   99
   141
   184
   201
   
4. As an NHL head coach, which team gave Bruce Boudreau his first coaching job?
   Anaheim Ducks
   Minnesota Wild
   Washington Capitals
   Vancouver Canucks
   
5. Which nickname has followed Bruce Boudreau throughout his career?
   Gabby
   Boom Boom
   Chopper
   Moose