Family members of the late Borje Salming gathered at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto to unveil a limited-edition timepiece honoring the Maple Leafs legend while raising money for charity.
Introducing the Salming 1,148 Watch
The Salming 1,148 watch takes its name from the number of NHL games Salming played. Only 1,148 pieces have been produced. The design includes a second hand styled after Toronto’s CN Tower, Salming’s signature on the back, his No. 21, and a crown symbol reflecting both his Swedish roots and his longtime nickname.
The project began in 2018, when Salming started sketching ideas with entrepreneur and friend Mats Kullenberg. Salming died on Nov. 24, 2022, after being diagnosed with ALS earlier that year. His children and Kullenberg completed the watch in his memory.
Kullenberg, CEO of Salming Watches, joined Salming’s children to present the first numbered piece to NHL Alumni Association president Glenn Healy. Healy donated it to the Hockey Hall of Fame for a new display celebrating Salming and the Salming Courage Award.
Created by the NHL Alumni Association in 2023, the Salming Courage Award recognizes a Europe-born NHL alumnus who has had a positive impact in the community and demonstrated lasting courage and dedication on and off the ice. The recipients to date are Nicklas Lidstrom (2023), Jari Kurri (2024), and Mats Sundin (2025).
Salming was a trailblazer for European players in the NHL. He signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 12, 1973, became the first player born and trained in Europe to appear in 1,000 NHL games on Jan. 4, 1988, and in 1996 became the first NHL player from Europe inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players in 2017. Salming played 16 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs (1973–89) and finished with the Detroit Red Wings (1989–90), posting 787 points (150 goals, 637 assists) in 1,148 games.
The first 100 watches, numbered 001–100, are reserved for NHL players. One has been presented to former Maple Leafs star and close friend Darryl Sittler, numbered 27 in recognition of his jersey.
Salming Watches will donate $170 Canadian from each sale to charitable causes through the NHL Alumni Association and its network. The watch is priced at about $12,000 Canadian, and the company has received roughly 2,200 purchase inquiries. This initiative not only honors a hockey legend but also supports meaningful causes in the community.