Some contributions don't show up in the stats. They show up years later, when a teammate says: that person changed everything for me.
The first recipient will be named in 2026. All in honor of Börje – and in support of the fight against ALS.
For the ones who made hockey better without keeping score
The Börje Salming Elite Prospect Award is a global award for the team players who make hockey better without ever asking for credit. The teammate who lifts the room. The volunteer. The rink parent. The one who was just always there. They won't nominate themselves. That's the point.
Established in honor of Börje Salming. In support of the fight against ALS.
Donate to the fight against ALS
The criteria
What we're looking for
The Team Player
Puts the group before themselves. Every time.
The Constant
Shows up. Week after week, year after year — without needing recognition to keep going.
The Courage
Knows what they stand for — and acts on it, even when the situation makes it hard.
The Ripple
Creates impact that spreads further than they'll ever know.
The Foundation
Makes it possible for others to play, grow, and belong.
The Jury
Nicklas Lidström
Professional Hockey Hall of Famer & Former NHL Captain
Four-time Stanley Cup champion. Seven-time Norris Trophy winner. But what defined Nicklas Lidström as much as his play was how he carried himself — composed, consistent, and always putting the team first.
Hayley Wickenheiser
Assistant General Manager, Toronto Maple Leafs & Hockey Hall of Famer
Widely considered the greatest women's hockey player of all time. Four Olympic gold medals. Seven world championships. The first woman to play full-time professional men's hockey as a skater. Today, a Hockey Hall of Famer and NHL executive.
Bill Daly
Deputy Commissioner, NHL
One of the most influential figures in professional hockey, Bill Daly has spent decades shaping the sport at the highest level. A tireless advocate for hockey's integrity, and for the values that make the game worth playing.
Peter Forsberg
Vice President, Swedish Ice Hockey Association
A lifelong servant of the game. Peter Forsberg has dedicated his career to developing hockey from the inside — building the structures, cultures, and communities that give the next generation a foundation to grow from.
Pat Kelleher
Executive Director, USA Hockey
Since 2017, Pat Kelleher has led USA Hockey to record participation levels — over one million players, coaches, officials, and volunteers. A lifelong hockey man driven by a simple belief: that somebody tied their skates when they were six, and that person matters.
Teresa Salming
Board Member, Börje Salming Foundation
As a board member of the Börje Salming Foundation, Teresa Salming carries her father's legacy forward with purpose. With a background in events, she brings both the personal connection to Börje's values and the practical experience to turn them into something lasting.
Rob Zepp
Sr. Director, International Strategy & Growth, NHLPA
A former professional goaltender turned hockey executive, Rob Zepp now drives the NHLPA's global growth from within. Known as much for his advocacy for mental health awareness in sport as for his playing career, he brings a rare combination of player perspective and strategic vision to everything he does.
Pierre McGuire
Hockey Executive & Broadcaster
Few people in hockey have seen the game from as many angles as Pierre McGuire — as a coach, a scout, an executive, and one of the sport's most recognizable voices. A deep believer in the human side of hockey, and what the sport can do for the people who play it.
Anders Salming
Börje Salming ALS-Stiftelse
Since losing his father, Anders Salming has worked tirelessly to keep his legacy alive — channeling that loss into action through the Börje Salming ALS-Stiftelse, fighting the disease that took him.
Mike Ferriman
Director of Event Presentation - MLSE, Director of Alumni Relations - Toronto Maple Leafs
Thirty years inside one of hockey's most storied organizations. Mike Ferriman has spent three decades crafting the moments that make hockey memorable — from the ice to the rafters. Few people understand better what it means to honor the game and the people who shaped it.
Hannes Andersson
CEO, Elite Prospects
With over 20 years in media and sports, Hannes Andersson leads Elite Prospects – the world's most comprehensive hockey platform, connecting players, scouts, coaches, and fans across 1500+ leagues globally. A true believer in the power of hockey, and in the stories that statistics alone can never tell.
Glenn Healy
President & Executive Director, NHL Alumni Association
Fifteen seasons as an NHL goaltender. A Stanley Cup champion. Director of Player Affairs at the NHLPA. Today, as President and Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association, Glenn Healy is one of hockey's most dedicated servants — bridging the game's past and present, and ensuring the values that define it are never forgotten.
Nominate someone
Who deserves this award?
Think of someone in hockey who gives everything without asking for anything back. A teammate, a coach, a volunteer, a rink parent. Nominate them — they won't do it themselves.
