Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable
'Probably A Night That I Will Remember For The Rest Of My Life': Oliver Ekman-Larsson Reflects on Being Part of Ceremonial Faceoff During Maple Leafs' Emotional Tribute to Borje Salming
Less than two years after being part of an emotional night in Toronto while with the Vancouver Canucks, Oliver Ekman-Larsson happy to join an NHL club steeped in Swedish hockey history.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson was well aware of the Toronto Maple Leafs' rich history of Swedish players who made their mark in the organization.
But on Nov. 12, 2022, he got to be part of an emotional night when Leafs legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Borje Salming stepped into Scotiabank Arena for what ended up being his final time as he was honored by the club and fans.
The Maple Leafs held a night in Salming's honor as the Swedish great had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Although diagnosed in July, it was clear the affliction had taken hold of the former defenseman when he made his way to center ice as both he and other alumni fought back tears.
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"It was a tough night, obviously, seeing him. But also probably a night that I will remember for the rest of my life," Ekman-Larsson said on Monday from the Leafs' annual charity golf tournament. "To get the chance to just hug him and say a couple of words. I really appreciate that."
Salming passed away just 12 days later.
The 33-year-old defenseman signed a four-year, $14 million deal with the Maple Leafs in July after helping the Florida Panthers win their first Stanley Cup back in June and was well aware of the trail Salming blazed for Swedish players back in the 1970s.
"And looking up to Mats (Sundin), watching him play," Ekman-Larsson added. "It's a lot of history, like I said. So I'm very lucky to be here."
Ekman-Larson joined the Panthers shortly after he was bought out of his deal with Canucks in the summer of 2023, which he described as "basically getting fired", but bounced back as an everyday player with Florida playing in 80 of the club's 82 games and averaging 18:24 of ice time per night.
The 33-year-old feels he's got better days ahead.
"I think just to get better. I think that's the mindset every year. Help everybody out. I think that's why I'm here, too, to help the young guys, help the older guys as well," Ekman-Larsson said. "Just to do a little bit of everything. So I'm super excited for this opportunity. It's a lot of history here in Toronto."
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