The defenseman played 16 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs (1973-89) before finishing his career with the Detroit Red Wings (1989-90). It was one of those moments that was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Sittler said Salming could feel the love coming from the crowd. I'll be talking to him, and he'll give a thumbs up. It's part of the disease he can't control. The emotion in his face when he cries, he can't help it. "Knowing Borje like I do and doing FaceTimes with him and talking to him, he's well aware of everything. "He totally knew what was going on," Sittler said. And I believe hockey fans will too."Īccording to Sittler, so will Salming, even if he can't express it outwardly because of his condition. "To be here standing beside him tonight was a special evening that I'll always remember. Even months ago, after he was diagnosed, he told us he wanted to be here for Hall of Fame weekend. "Nobody will ever forget this moment, this game, this night," Sittler said, his eyes welling up. The roar from the capacity throng grew louder. With the crowd giving Salming a standing ovation, Sittler held up Salming's arm and helped him wave. The disease has stripped him of the ability to speak. Salming, the first Swedish player elected to the Hall of Fame and one of the most popular players in Maple Leafs history, was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year. There they were, Darryl Sittler and Mats Sundin, both Hockey Hall of Famers themselves, standing on the ice and fighting back tears while they clutched the arms of their friend, Borje Salming, who stood between them. And so it was Friday at Scotiabank Arena, during the pregame ceremony for the annual Hall of Fame game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |