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Tribute to Borje Salming, ALS fundraiser Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena

Former Toronto Maple Leaf Borje Salming is honored during a pregame ceremony prior to the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Arena on November 11, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Salming, joined with his wife Pia, was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year. at the Scotiabank Arena on November 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Former Toronto Maple Leaf Borje Salming is honored during a pregame ceremony prior to the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Arena on November 11, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Salming, joined with his wife Pia, was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year. at the Scotiabank Arena on November 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

The chance for Maple Leaf fans to gather publically in sorrow and celebration of Borje Salming will be Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.

With the all-star defenceman’s passing while the Leafs were on the road, there will be an opportunity to mark Salming’s career and help in the fight against ALS that took him last week at age 71.

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It’s expected a pre-game ceremony of some sort will be held as the Leafs face off against the San Jose Sharks. Toronto players will be wearing Reverse Retro sweaters with all proceeds of a one-day public sale of the jerseys going to ALS Action Canada.

All team sweaters from Wednesday’s game will also be auctioned off.  In addition, the commemorative blue and gold sweater patch, worn by the team to honour Salming following news of his passing last week, will be made available for purchase with all net proceeds for the remainder of the season going to the same charity.

“On behalf of ALS Action Canada, the first and only ALS patient-led advocacy organization in this country, we thank the Maple Leafs for generosity in supporting our work to help ALS families urgently access new drug therapies, get better access to clinical trials, and push for increased research funding for cure,” Leaf alumnus, ALS advocate and ALS Action Canada Board Member Mark Kirton said in a release. “Borje Salming’s death reminds us all that it is time to raise our voices and come together as a country to end this horrific and torturous disease now.”

The Reverse Retro sweater can be bought online through Real Sports Apparel or visiting the store in-person at the rink Wednesday. The sweaters will be up online at Real Sports Auction from Wednesday at 12 p.m. until Saturday at 8 p.m.

The Leafs, in particular the seven Swedes now on the roster, were particularly affected by Salming’s rapid decline and death, all of them grateful he mustered the strength to come to Toronto earlier this month for the Hockey Hall of Fame Game and his own tribute night.

Since winning 2-1 in New Jersey in Game 21 (Salming’s number) on a winning goal from Pontus Holmberg, six Swedes have scored in three more victories through Monday in Detroit. Salming’s retired player banner has been lowered to half-mast at the arena and fans have been leaving flowers and other mementoes at his statue on Legend’s Row.

lhornby@postmedia.com