Borje Salming breaks into tears when the Maple Leafs honoured him tonight - he is battling ALS at the moment

Salming's illness was originally covered by the Swedish national daily Expressen, which noted that the 71-year-old now utilizes an iPad to communicate with friends and relatives.

In August, Salming revealed that he had ALS, claiming that "in one second, everything changed." Typically within two to five years of the start of symptoms, ALS is a degenerative nerve system illness that causes paralysis, the inability to swallow, respiratory failure, and ultimately death.

Salming remarked in his first statement, "... I recognize that there will be hurdles larger than anything I have ever encountered. "I also acknowledge that there is no treatment, but there are multiple international trials underway, and a remedy will be found eventually."

More than 800 people live with ALS in Sweden, where the 71-year-old is still receiving therapy. According to the ALS Society of Canada, 3,000 Canadians are thought to be affected by the illness. From 1973 through 1989, Salming spent 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs. In 1996, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He played in 1,099 games for the Leafs and now holds the fourth-highest career point total for the franchise with 768 points.

Tonight, the Leafs honoured Salming with a emotional tribute, let me tell you.. if you prepare to watch grab your tissues.