Hall of Famer, former NHL executive led Leafs in 1970s

Hockey Hall of Fame member Jim Gregory has died at 83, the NHL announced on Wednesday.

Gregory served as a league executive for four decades. He was one of the first NHL general managers to import talent from Europe, most notably defenceman Borje Salming of Sweden.

“It is impossible to express the extent to which the National Hockey League family adored Jim Gregory and the loss we feel as a result of his passing,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Jim was one of the first to welcome me to the NHL almost 27 years ago and I have treasured his friendship and relied upon his wisdom every day since. Nobody loved the game more. Nobody ever served it better. We will miss him terribly.”

Gregory served as the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager from 1969-79, guiding the Original Six club to eight post-season appearances.

“He was like a second father to me,” said the 68-year-old Salming Wednesday, per Nhl.com. “I love that man. People don’t understand. In 1973, I came to a new country, a new league, a new city, a new culture, a new language, a new everything. And he was always there for me. Without him, I’m not sure I could have coped.”

The Maple Leafs also remembered Gregory on Wednesday.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Gregory,” said Brendan Shanahan, team president and alternate governor said in a statement. “Jim was one of the great gentlemen of hockey. He was a friend to so many within the game — the Leafs, the League, the Hall of Fame and beyond. His friendships and contributions to hockey were so deeply rooted. He was a living, breathing piece of hockey history.”