UBB.Developers Forums Announcements Announcements Team UBBDev Saku Koivu beats cancer, returns to ice

This is definitely a story to feel good about.

Saku Koivu, the captain of the Montreal Canadiens returned to the ice last night for the first time since September, when he was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma in the abdomen.

Koivu the 27 year old from Finland, spent the last 7 months battling the cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, missing the entire NHL season and the chance to represent Finland at this years winter olympics....until last night.

Koivu received an emotional eight minute ovation from the montreal fans, teammates and their opponents, the Ottawa Senators.

Koivu played 13 shifts for a total of 8:22 minutes of ice time.

Coincidentally, Montreal's opponent last night, the Ottawa Senators announced that Assistant Coach, Roger Neilson will be behind the bench as Head Coach for Ottawa's last two games. Neilson who has been battling cancer for the past few years will have the opportunity to be only the ninth person to have coached in 1,000 games. Neilson will also own the record for having coached the most teams, with eight.



-Tacks

Yes it was a great hockey night last night.
At the begining of the season who would have thought that Koivu would have played any games this year? It's great to see him back in the line up, I wish I was able to watch that game.
As for the Sens, you can't say enough about that club for allowing Neilson to caoch the last two games of the season so he can get his 1000 games. I remember back in '82 when he took over for Harry Neil, when he was suspended, with only 5 games left in the season. What a run the Canucks had that year.

Go Canucks Go

I saw that on Sportscenter this morning.

Glad to see him back though.

~Jon