REPORT: Mark Kirton, Borje Salming's former teammate provides some insight on his death

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Ryan
November 24, 2022 (10:30 PM)

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Today our hockey family lost a true Legend. Borje Salming was a pioneer in the National Hockey League for all European players.

He spent almost all of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and is still considered one of the best Maple Leafs of all time.

He passed away today at the age of 71 after his battle with ALS. The rapidly progressing disease left him unable to speak, and the form he had was apparently very aggressive.

Just recently, Salming had made a trip to Toronto and got to experience some great last moments being celebrated with his family, friends, former teammates and the thousands of fans chanting his name.

One of those teammates that got to share in this honour was Mark Kirton. Kirton is one of the only people who can truly understand what Salming was going through as Kirton himself is battling with ALS.

After Salming's passing today, Kirton posted the following information on Twitter, to give a little insight:

Sad, sad day. So glad he was able to attend tributes here & Sweden & you know what, he died a good death. Meaning his loving family was around him & he didn't allow the ALS monster to rip him apart piece by piece over time. King outsmarted the f**** disease. Deep down know that he knew what kind of a burden this would become on his family. You think he was a smart hockey player but he was even a smarter man! It's time to rest. God bless