Mats Sundin is an ambassador for Börje Salming ALS Foundation

“It's very honourable and of course I said yes when I was asked. Börje has meant a lot to me over the years,” says Mats Sundin.

With 18 seasons in the NHL, including 13 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and before that the Quebec Nordiques and one final stint with the Vancouver Canucks, Mats Sundin is one of Sweden's most successful hockey players. With him during his career Börje Salming was always a friend and ball board.

“When I was going over to the Maple Leafs, I talked a lot with Börje. It's one thing to play hockey in Quebec, but it's quite another to do it in Toronto, which is a city that breathes and lives hockey. Something that Börje knew all about.

‍

Team captain following Börje's advice

When Mats Sundin was asked to be the team captain of the Maple Leafs, it was again Börje that Mats turned to.

“Börje told me that he regretted not saying yes when he was asked the same question in the Maple Leafs and told me that of course I would say yes. And that's how Börje was. He was always there and could give advice and support.

Even after his hockey career, Mats kept in touch with Börje and just like everyone else, Mats was affected by the news that Börje had suffered from ALS.

“It was painful to see how quickly Börje was broken down by the disease. More research is needed in this area and this requires an initiative such as the Börje Salming ALS Foundation.

Ingemar Stenmark, Rasmus Sandin and Rolf Edberg have previously been ambassadors for the Börje Salming ALS Foundation.

‍

‍