Borje Salming draws laughs with blue story about fellow Swede Peter Forsberg

TORONTO - Legendary defenceman Borje Salming will be the fourth former Toronto Maple Leaf to join the team's Legends Row.

The Hall of Famer's statue will be unveiled outside Air Canada Centre next September along with statues of Darryl Sittler, Ted Kennedy and goaltender Johnny Bower.

Salming's strong two-way play made him one of the elite defencemen in the game. He was also one of the most popular players in team history.

"Wearing the Toronto Maple Leaf sweater for 16 seasons was a great honour, but to be recognized among some of the top players with a statue on Legends Row — especially with my teammate Darryl Sittler — is something I couldn't have imagined," Salming said in a release. "I always look back on my time in Toronto with fondness and enjoy the chance to visit every chance I get.

"The chance to come back for the statue unveiling next September with my family will be very special."

Salming joined Toronto in 1973 and earned NHL second all-star team honours in his sophomore season. In 1,019 games with the Leafs, Salming had 137 goals and 738 points.

Salming played his final season in the NHL with Detroit and spent three more seasons with AIK of the Swedish Elite League before retiring in 1993.

The statues will be set up in bronze on a granite bench in Maple Leaf Square.