Borje Salming Update
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I'm always a bit worry when the teams bring out the old timers. He was in his 70's. I thought he risked breaking a hip when he fell (twice).
"In a 1985 Montreal Canadiens Old-Timers game, Joliat skated around the Montreal Forum to a huge ovation as a "special treat" for the fans. Despite falling twice over TV cables on the ice, he quickly stood up and finished his skate, the trademark black cap he wore back in his playing days held in his hand.[citation needed]"
Aurèle Joliat - Wikipedia
"In a 1985 Montreal Canadiens Old-Timers game, Joliat skated around the Montreal Forum to a huge ovation as a "special treat" for the fans. Despite falling twice over TV cables on the ice, he quickly stood up and finished his skate, the trademark black cap he wore back in his playing days held in his hand.[citation needed]"
Aurèle Joliat - Wikipedia
i lived in toronto during the mid 80s and although not a big hockey fan, i remember salming well. i went with swedish friend to a swedish holiday fair and saw salming there. i will never forget his stitches than ran almost the complete length of his face- he had taken a skate to the face in a recent game
I remember seeing that. Everyone could see Joliat heading for the cables(edit: it was carpet), but no one could do anything about it. Do you remember the Leafs had a big ceremony once with a lot of old players. One of the old guys collapsed and died behind the bench before going out on the red carpet. Can't remember who it was.
Edit: google is our friend.
Link to Leaf story.
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ne...er-jackson-collapses-during-ceremony-1.324956
Video of Joliat:
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BTW: Before Bobby Hull, some people thought Busher Jackson was the best LW ever. His is a story of wine, fast women and song. His entry to the HHOF was delayed because of his lifestyle. It was said that people saw him after retirement standing outside Maple Leaf Garden selling old hockey sticks for spare change.
That story about Jackson selling sticks was in the movie Net Worth(1995). Not sure if the story was ever verified, though.
Gotta give the old guy credit for going out there and putting on a show.
One of the clips showing after that video was a snippet of him on Front Page Challenge. Interesting to hear the prospective of a person who was used to the game in the early part of the century and comparing it to the game at that time (early 60's). He mentioned that the game was much faster and game will need to evolve with as our technology (science) improves. To date, the game has continued in such a manner.
Salming played during the golden age of NHL defensmen.
- 1990: Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
- 1989: Chris Chelios, Montreal Canadiens
- 1988: Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
- 1987: Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
- 1986: Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers
- 1985: Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers
- 1984: Rod Langway, Washington Capitals
- 1983: Rod Langway, Washington Capitals
- 1982: Doug Wilson, Chicago Black Hawks
- 1981: Randy Carlyle, Pittsburgh Penguins
- 1980: Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
- 1979: Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
- 1978; Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
- 1977: Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
- 1976: Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
- 1975: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
- 1974: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
IMO, aside from Orr, Salming was at least just as good, if not better than the rest, prejudice kept him from winning a Norris. Salming taught Carlyle all he knew and Carlyle wins a Norris with Penguins.
I still can't get over Carlyle winning the Norris, he looked like he was skating on wood.
Not to mention he is responsible for the Leafs collapse to the Bruins, the most brutal strategic call I've ever seen going into a third period with a big lead.
What an awful, awful coach.
With all due respect to Savard, that is a very, very biased viewpoint.
Salming was a far superior offensive player, just as good defensively, without the team or supporting D Corp that Savard had.
Salming had a dynamic quality that changed the flow of the game, I wouldn't say that about Savard, as great a player as he was.
Park and Savard each won one Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Winners
How can you possibly say that about Darts, our self-proclaimed (Wikipedia) hockey historian?
It's like you're saying that he constantly promotes all things Montreal. Is that what you're saying? Sacre bleu (blanc, rouge).
I want to hear Darts back up his claim and put you in your place.
And the irony here is that Salming maybe deserved it more than either one.
One of the first Euro players in the league, he was abused and took beatings from thugs on the ice
because he was a Swede and they were willing to carve him up to intimidate him and diminish his game and his impact.
He rose above it all and became one of the best players of his time and he did it quietly and with dignity.
He never instigated and he never backed down from fighters he didn't stand a chance against.
That's what you'll never understand as a Habs fan because you're too wrapped up in your own history and living
vicariously through awards and pomp and ceremony.
Salming is a hero to us beyond his breathtaking abilities, and he will be a hero to us above everything else until we're gone.
