Nicklas Lidstrom named inaugural Borje Salming Courage Award winner

The National Hockey League’s Alumni Association (NHLAA) announced on Thursday that Nicklas Lidstrom is the recipient of the first annual “Borje Salming Courage Award.”

The award, created nearly one year after Salming’s death, is presented to a European NHL Alumni member who has been a positive influence in their community and best embodies Salming’s lasting legacy of bravery, courage, and dedication both on and off the ice.

“We are honoured to have Nicklas Lidstrom as our inaugural recipient of this award. Borje Salming’s impact in Sweden and Europe as a whole cannot be overstated. He paved a path for generations of international players to follow and achieve their dreams of playing in the National Hockey League,” said Glenn Healy, NHL Alumni Association Executive Director.

“Nicklas is a true representation of what this award is all about. From supporting youth hockey initiatives to a ‘no ego’ attitude on and off the ice, he perfectly represents this award and the legacy behind it,” Healy continued.

Salming was a Swedish defenseman who played 17 seasons in the NHL, 16 of which with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was one of the first European players to make an impact on the NHL, being named to six consecutive NHL All-Star teams.

In 1996, his first year of eligibility, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1998.

In 2017, the NHL named Salming one of the 100 Greatest Players in the first century of the league.

Salming was diagnosed with ALS in July 2022 and died on Nov. 24, 2022, just over a week after making his final public appearance, performing the ceremonial puck drop before a Maple Leafs game vs. the Vancouver Canucks.