Passing, and skates...
And the line's kept in by Salming.
Centre five Scores!
What is Salming, he's pushing like 35?
35, yeah. He seems hell bent
on bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Gardens
- before he hangs up his skates. - I think they're
delusional there but, you never know.
And they are loving every minute of it.
I have a drawing for you, Dad.
Wow, let me see this.
Oh, it's beautiful, thank you.
You're welcome.
- See that? - That's so nice.
And Dad in a hockey shirt.
- Happy birthday, Börje. - Thank you.
- Hi, Dave. - Margitta, nice to see you.
Nice to see you.
Anders, Teresa. So, had a good day or what?
Great day. Margitta and the kids sang for me this morning.
I'm gonna get right to it, can I borrow the birthday boy a minute?
- Yeah, of course. - Okay, excuse us.
Okay, listen.
Gretzky, Kurri, Tikkanen, Coffey, and Salming.
- Edmonton? - They called me yesterday,
they wanna throw their hat in the ring.
This is the team that's gonna beat Montreal this year.
I mean, besides us.
Sorry...
Let me think about it. Okay?
Okay, yeah. Think about it. Call me.
- Kids, Take care. - Bye.
- Happy birthday. - Bye, Dave.
Okay, who wants some more cake?
What does Börje say about wearing a C next season?
He'll think about it this summer.
Think about it? Imlach's out of the picture,
I've made you the new Jim, what else does he want? A new car?
It's not about what he wants, it's about what he doesn't want.
I think the burden of responsibility is a little too much for him still.
You know, speaking in public, dealing with journalists.
Look if, if he doesn't embrace the limelight now
he's gonna regret it later. Believe me.
Börje is Börje, you take the good with the bad.
The important thing is that he leads by example on the ice, right?
- Gerry, Gerry... - Hey, Gerry. Done.
- Looks great. I'll go get him. - I'll be here.
Gerry, always with the answers, huh?
Well, he's kind of like the last man standing
so he must be doing something right.
I thought I'd be rid of your one-liners by now,
but boy was I wrong.
You know, Smokey retired last week but I still can't get rid of him.
You know, sir,
as long as the dream is alive and kicking, I ain't going nowhere.
Oh, the dream is alive and kicking, yeah.
No question about that.
35 years old, Harold.
You've got parking tickets that old.
That's worth considering.
Hey, come here.
Puck, come here. Puck.
Come here.
Talk, we'll make a billion.
Excuse me, Börje?
I just wanted to say happy birthday,
- I'm such a big fan of yours. - Thank you.
Do you have any fives?
Go fish.
- It's your turn. - Do you have any jacks?
Go fish.
Teresa, it's your turn.
- Hey. - Hello Mr. Salming,
my name is Heather Bird, I'm a journalist with the Toronto Star.
Oh, well, come on in.
Can I ask you a couple of questions?
- Of course. - Okay.
Could we, talk in private?
- Yeah sure. - Okay.
You keep playing, I'll be back soon.
- Okay. - Do you have any knights?
It's a beautiful home you have here.
- Thank you. - The kids are really cute.
Thank you, they're great.
So, we wanted to give you the opportunity
to either confirm or deny claims
of cocaine usage by teams in the league.
We're writing an article about it.
Okay.
There's been some writing about a few players
who have recently been discovered to have taken cocaine.
And we're quite curious as to how widespread it is.
And rumour has it that you have been part of it too.
So if you don't mind me being too forward, have you ever used cocaine?
I've heard the rumours too.
Sinus issues are supposed to be because of that but,
that's just not true.
I can promise you that I've never been addicted to cocaine.
- Okay. - Dad!
- Dad, come on, get over here. - Excuse me.
Hurry up.
- Dad. - What's going on?
Okay.
That's okay, no worries.
- Sorry. - It's okay.
Where were we?
You were saying that you've never been addicted to cocaine,
but you have tried it?
Yeah, you know, a couple of times in the '70s.
But, I haven't done it since.
And it's...
I feel fine saying no when it's offered today.
And of course it's not something that I encourage.
And in what kinds of situations would this happen,
would you be with the team at the time?
No just, some party.
But no, the team...
The team wouldn't be there, I've never seen anyone on the team using.
And of course off the record,
are you sure you're the only one who's tried it?
Yeah, I got no names to give you besides my own.
You know most of the others wouldn't
- do the same for you, right? - Maybe.
Well I appreciate your honesty.
Of course, you asked a direct question,
I want to give direct answers.
Well I should scoot and get to writing,
we go to press at midnight, so...
- Did you drive here? - No I took a cab.
- I'll call you one. - Oh, thank you.
You write something nice now.
There was a journalist here today.
They were writing an article
about some hockey players being caught with cocaine.
What does that have to do with you?
No, they were just asking if I had tried it too.
And you said?
Well, I told the truth.
That I tried it, years ago, but no more than that.
Do you think I shouldn't have?
We said that if they ask, I should tell the truth, to end the rumours.
Yeah, but I said that a hundred years ago, not now.
It's too late now to bring all that up.
Yeah but what should I do? Should I lie?
I just told the truth, like we agreed.
It doesn't matter if it's a few years later.
It was a long time ago now, nobody will care about that.
- Yeah... - Right?
Of course.
It's not your fault that they're bringing it up.
Hello?
What?
Now? Why?
But you...
Okay.
Turn the light out.
- I have to go to New York. - No.
That was Gerry, I have to go see the NHL.
- When? - Now.
- Don't go. - Shit.
I have no choice.
I'll deal with the talking, alright?
I told you to let me do the talking.
Okay, I'm sorry.
But you got to admit that this punishment is out of line.
I'm suspended for a whole season?
For something that happened ten years ago, Gerry.
You want to know what i think?
I think you're lucky you only got suspended.
And that I should have lied?
No, Börje. I think you never should have
taken cocaine in the first place.
- What'd you think was gonna happen? - You know I wasn't the only one.
I don't care.
You're Börje Salming, kids look up to you.
Where are you going?
Gonna try to move heaven and earth and get them to lighten up.
Meet me back here in an hour.
Well the good news is, they agreed
to reduce your suspension to eight games.
Thank you, Gerry.
That's alright.
I feel responsible for you,
I'm the one who brought you here in the first place, remember?
Yeah, I'm not a kid anymore.
Yeah I know that, Börje.
You talked to Ballard?
He thinks this whole thing is a charade.
It's just embarrassing.
Yeah, don't worry.
It will all be over before you know it.
Is it true you met with the leagues upper management?
Tell us about your punishment.
Have you been in contact with Harold Ballard?
What message does your cocaine addiction
send to young hockey players?
- What? - I've tried to reach you all day.
What's this shit in the newspapers about cocaine?
Yes, it's true, but like, one time a bunch of years ago.
Mum had to deal with a bunch of shit when she was in the shop today.
Yeah, I get it.
I'm disappointed in you.
I understand, Stigge, but it was a long time ago. Years ago.
It was like one time.
You don't do it now?
No, of course I don't.
Do you promise?
Yes, I promise, it was not for me.
Why the hell did you try it to start with? It's so damned stupid.
People die from it, it's in the papers here.
- I know. - How would that look?
Leave Margitta and the kids alone.
Yes, it would look like shit.
It would look like shit, Stigge.
I get that.
But what are you getting at? It didn't happen, I'm alive, right?
I care about you, that's all.
But I guess that doesn't count for much.
I'm sorry...
I...
I'm fine. Everything is fine.
You don't have to worry.
I'm not going to die, Stigge.
Maybe it's time to come home?
I am home, Stigge.
Do you want us to come over?
No.
No, it's okay.
I'm here.
I'll call Mum.
Hey... take care.
Talk later.
Me and the kids have checked into Westbury to avoic the journalists.
Let's talk when you are back and have read this. Margitta.
- Börje! - What did your wife think
when she found out?
Can you guys leave? Please?
This is my home, you're scaring my family. Can you please leave.
What now, Börje? What is your next step?
Next step? Here, I'll show you.
My next step.
- Come on, Börje. - Get out of here, okay?
Go. I'm not gonna tell you again.
- Okay. - Leave.
You too, get out of here.
Go!
What are you waiting for?
From what I can tell it's going to be a rainy weekend.
Thank you Lauren for providing us with the weather forecast.
Looks like I won't be giving up my galoshes any time soon.
Now, let's continue with the latest updates.
The National Hockey League has announced that Salming is suspended
for eight regular season games and fined five...
All songs she's gonna do tonight
are from one of her albums called Cimarron.
Please welcome, singing Born To Run, miss Emmylou Harris! Alright!
So you don't forget where you come from.
- So, you're here too. - Yeah.
We have to move on.
We have to go, the reindeer are moving.
Are you alone or is Herrman with you?
Herrman is with me.
There were so many god damned rumours
about where Börje was, what he was doing.
I mean despicable, some of the horrible things people can say, eh?
But I'll have to tell you, I was worried.
I should have seen it.
It's when we brought him that cake. You know, happy 35...
he didn't even smile.
Later on I was to find out that 35 meant something else to him.
His dad.
He had his head crushed in the mines.
He died, 35 years old.
And Börje, for some reason, had this weird superstition, that 35...
That was not gonna be a good year for him.
And to make matters worse, Clancy died.
You know they always say if you couldn't get along with Clancy,
well, you didn't know how to breathe.
And I swear to you man, I don't believe in ghosts or anything.
But go to Maple Leaf Gardens,
stand in the hallway, close your eyes,
and I swear to god, you'll hear him laugh.
It hit us all hard.
Especially Ballard.
Yeah, Hurricane Harold now, well, he'd turned into a stiff breeze.
The team was a freaking mess to start the season.
Thank God Börje came back.
But when he did, he...
He looked different, you know.
Like he had found something.
But he wasn't allowed to train with the team because of the suspension.
So he had to wait until the locker room cleared out and I'd stay there.
I mean he always needed equipment, right?
And frankly I wasn't gonna let him out of my sight.
Watching him out there.
Bent but never broke.
I love the colours, but I...
Hun, I'm leaving now.
- Okay. Have fun. - I'll call you after the game.
I like the shape more of this one.
But also this powder pink is really nice.
What if we take...
Did you forget something?
What's wrong?
Wait a minute.
I just wanted to ask if you want to come.
- To the game? - Yeah.
Börje, I'm working.
Yes, I know...
- Did something happen? - No I just thought...
It'd be fun, it's been a long time since you were in the stands.
I'll watch you on the TV.
Yeah.
If it's important to you, I'll come to the next game.
Or maybe when you play in Los Angeles, somewhere warm.
I love you.
I love you too.
Get out of here, so you don't miss your flight.
Okay, sorry about that.
- Here you go Mr. Salming. - Thank you.
Knock them dead, Börje. Take home the cup.
This is our year.
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Erland,
Happy Birthday to you
Just wanted to give you a little heads up before we touch down,
we will be arriving at Detroit Metro a bit earlier than expected
thanks to a nice tailwind.
NOVEMBER 26, 1986 DETROIT, USA
Alright, 15 minutes.
You got to take it off, Smokey. You know I don't want it.
It's not about what you want. It's about Lorne Henning's stick.
Remember what happened that night?
That was seven years ago. We gonna do this every time?
Shouldn't have to. I don't tell you how to do your job,
don't tell me how to do mine. You're wearing the visor.
Al has no teeth, why doesn't he wear a gum guard?
You got a face that a visor could still protect,
so you're wearing the bloody visor.
I'll just take it off myself.
Oh, shit.
This whole thing just fogs up and I can't see anything,
if I can't see then I can't play well.
If I can't play well, do you think we're gonna win?
Don't you wanna win, Smokey?
You get another stick in the eye, you go blind.
Got that? Blind.
What's the chance of winning the Stanley Cup then? Out the window.
Give me that you stupid lug, I'll do it myself.
Let's go, boys!
Boo!
Cocaine! Boo!
Boo!
Börje Salming in the match,
another player having a great series along with Turnbull in the Leafs.
They've just been outstanding, both ways, defensively, offensively.
I'll tell you one thing, Börje is hard on the puck,
hard on the players, hard on the corners.
I think BJ just enjoys the pain out there.
I don't think so, just a big, strong guy who never complains.
In the third period Yzerman getting away from Courtnall,
a slight backhand and deflect it.
Another shot is getting away!
Score!
The Red Wings score!
It's two to one.
Börje Salming was hurt on that play,
and he's getting helped to the dressing room, I think he was cut.
You can see the blood in front of the net.
Kid! Stay, stay, stay.
Stay.
Okay, do you hear me?
Okay, you hear me?
Get out here! Come on, give me the bag!
Mr. Salming, hey, look at me.
Eyes open.
How you doing? You doing alright?
Mr Salming, stay awake. Stay with me.
Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't be in here.
Let me take you to the waiting area.
- McNamara - Gerry, listen,
they're gonna operate. It's that bad man, it's bad.
Okay.
What's Harold saying?
No, I'm not gonna tell Mr Ballard anything until we know for sure.
He can't take any more bad news,
we just lost Clancy for Christ's sake, Danny!
Just give me an update every half hour, okay?
You talked to his wife?
Yeah, I'll let Mrs Salming know what's going on.
Okay.
Okay, let's see what we got here.
He's lost a lot of blood.
Okay. Let's start with the anaesthesia.
His medical report, the list of injuries the length of the page,
- want me to read them all? - Please, come on.
Okay, lungs, one puncture, left. Shoulders dislocated two times.
Elbows crushed five times, bone fragments remaining.
Right hand, four fingers broken. Knees, fractured kneecap.
Removed a loose bone in surgery.
Forehead stitched nine times. Nose broken five times.
Eyebrow stitched 26 times.
Right eye, sight reduced by 50 percent.
Left eye, slightly damaged
after being hit with the blade of a hockey stick.
Left ear, earlobe stitched. Mouth, five teeth missing, retainer.
Chin, stitched 15 times. Ribs, 14 loose.
Yeah, it's...
It's about all I can tell you about it.
Let me see the card again.
You know you can't tell the value of a man
by those numbers on the back of the card.
No his worth is how he made everyone feel.
He always made me feel part of the team, you know.
Always.
Oh, there you are, honey.
Nice to meet you.
I'm glad I got to know you. Rest in peace.
Thank you, and rest in peace.
The foreman said he tried to loosen something
that had gotten stuck on the transport belt.
He was pulled into the machine.
Head first.
Think of those poor children.
And Karin.
It won't be easy to do everything by herself now.
Mr Salming? Are you okay?
Yeah. I'm okay. Thank you.
We're heading in the right direction
but I'm not gonna sugarcoat things.
If that skate had hit you just a half inch to the right,
you would've lost your eye.
Had you turned your head even a little when the blade came down,
it would have sliced your throat open.
You must have a guardian angel.
That's the good news.
Bad news is, you probably haven't seen the last of me.
This injury will need to be fixed with plastic surgery.
Luckily, I'm one of the best in the country when it comes to that.
After the swelling is reduced
and the skin around the wound has grown back
you can contact me on this number.
I need to go.
No, Börje. I need you to stay
so that I can monitor you for a few days.
See that you heal properly.
I have to go home.
Okay.
I'll give enough valium for at least a month.
The suture in the OR,
about a year's worth of supplies went into that face.
I hope you recover well, Mr Salming.
Thank you, Dr Finley. I appreciate it.
You're welcome.
Keep well.
Oh, you have someone here to see you by the way.
Hey doc.
- Hey. - Hey, Smokey.
Listen to that guy, number one in the country.
But I hear they did a good job.
They cleaned your towel.
I told them to.
Wow. Thanks.
I'd be lost without this.
Yeah, lost. That's for sure.
- Not too bad, eh? - I've had worse.
Look son.
Börje, I'm sorry.
I mean, I should've put my foot down about that visor, that's my job.
You don't like my new look?
I can be a Bond villain.
Well, if hockey don't work out for you, you got that.
What the hell is all this? For a little scratch in the face?
You know...
I really thought it might be over, you know?
My life or your career?
Both I guess.
It's not over yet, Smokey.
Yeah.
There's no cow on the ice, right?
That's right.
But you have to get me a new visor.
Yeah. You know what, I'm gonna do that today.
God damned best visor I can get you.
And...
It's good to see you, Smokey.
It's okay.
Hey, Henry, can we stop by the Gardens?
Yes, sir.
I have to show they boys I'm alive.
Yeah, one more thing you know...
whenever I think of Börje,
I think of that thing my dad used to always say.
It's a quote by some woman entertainer I think.
He used to say, "Look, you only got one life to live,
but if you do it right, one is all you need."
And Börje, well, he did it right.
In the morning, I had to go pick him up at the hospital,
or at the airport, when he came back from Detroit.
So I wore sunglasses going into the airport
so he wouldn't see my reaction when I saw him.
I was afraid that I would...
What was your reaction?
Well my reaction was that I couldn't believe how lucky he was, really.
Just listen to them, here they are!
Many are standing,
now everyone in the building is standing for Börje Salming.
He has scored two goals and two assists
in the Canada Cup competition.
I'm just like any other person. I'm not better than anyone else.
Than you, or the person sleeping on the street.
You have to accept everyone as they are.
But sure, it's great to be there,
and I'm really proud to hear those names, to be called a legend.
- A living legend. - Yes, well, you're not really.
Legend is when you've died, when you're gone.
That's when you're a legend.
Subtitles: Lily Ray plint.com