How long did Borje Salming have ALS?

Börje Salming was a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who played for Brynäs IF, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Detroit Red Wings, and AIK over a 23-year career.

Börje Salming had ALS for four months. Salming was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in mid-July 2022.

Salming suffered from severe depression following his diagnosis. Salming revealed publicly for the first time since his diagnosis on October 17 2022, that his condition had worsened to the point where he had lost the ability to speak and relied on a feeding tube for meals.

Despite his diagnosis, Salming traveled to Toronto for the Maple Leafs’ Hall of Fame induction weekend game on November 11, 2022, where he was part of an emotional pre-game moment in which lifelong friend Darryl Sittler assisted Salming in waving to the crowd.

Salming died two weeks after the ceremony, on November 24, 2022, at the age of 71. Salming’s death made national headlines in both Canada and Sweden, with numerous organizations, athletes, and celebrities paying tribute to him.