From Cancer To The Hall Of Fame - The Saku Koivu Story

On September 6th 2001, former 1st round draft pick and captain of the Montreal Canadiens Saku Koivu was diagnosed with cancer. After 5 months of treatment and 2 months of getting back into shape, the Finnish forward managed to return to the Habs lineup before the season in which he was diagnosed was complete. From there, Koivu would go on to play 18 seasons in the NHL, represent his country internationally for almost 2 decades and earn himself one of the greatest honours a hockey player could ever receive...
This is the story of Saku Koivu's journey from cancer to the Hall of Fame!
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[@och70]

Saku Koivu's first game back is easily one of the best, most emotional "return to the ice" moments.

[@dmx9122]

Was there on that night and we also clinch a playoff spot that night after a few miserable years.

[@dylanlynch1785]

When I had cancer back in 2016 Mario lemieux and Saku Koivu gave me insperation that is possible to fight and beat cancer. im very lucky to be alvie today and playing hockey . go Habs go

[@zoex100]

Go HABS GO LUV YA SAKU

[@RoniLehmusto]

Respect

[@1bestkk]

You absolute trooper, let's goooooo!

[@dylanlynch1785]

@@1bestkk thanks love your compliment

[@juhaleskinen7383]

As a Finn thank you for telling this story.

[@chrisjourdan344]

Saku Koivu: The " Third Firebird Of Finland" Beat Cancer and Got Inducted to the Hall Of Fame.

[@JoE-kx7dw]

As a Habs fan, I loved this episode. No way you can watch his return and not tear-up or at least get goosebumps.

[@vithursan.b]

I always wondered how Saku's prime would have been if it wasn't for his injuries and the cancer also the team too. I love this player growing up, hard work and leadership he had during this time in Montreal.

[@maestroff2768]

Saku Koivu has always been one of my favorite players of all time and the reason why I fell in love with Montreal Canadiens! Much love from Finland, great video!

[@Jame5man]

Koivu was my favourite player as a kid. He is a Habs legend. No doubt in my mind of that

[@goose3246]

This guy is the definition of a true legend 💙🤍❤️

[@RoyalMela]

1:56 I bet you mean he knew very little of french. His english has always been good.

[@oldtimer7635]

Saku´s ”problem”, if you can call it so, was, that he was playing with such intensity that his relatively small body could not allways handle it. He gave 100% all the time. So, he got injured many times, not to mention the cancer! I was lucky enough to see him grow up as a ice hockey player in Turku Finland. His attitude was amazing, never gave up. : )

[@jonathancote9372]

in 1996-1997 he was among if not the nhl point leader at christmas, than got injured ...

[@vithursan.b]

He might of had the shot at the Art Ross if not Hart Trophy am I right?

[@jonathancote9372]

@@vithursan.b There was still Mario Lemieux back then ... but Koivu was like 48 pts in 38 games and finished the season 56pts in 50 games he struggled when he came back and he wasn't the first center as Damphousse had a 81 pts season. Koivu and Savage were huge starter but when January came they disapeared

[@mfleet1973]

Yes he was leading the league in scoring and if I remember correctly he injured his knee.

[@SharksAttack]

@@mfleet1973 yep. and his skating was never the same after that knee injury.

[@tyemaddog]

I was 9 or 10 years old when he came in the league. My dad is a big Canadiens fan and watched every game. For whatever reason Saku became my favorite player. The ups and downs of injuries, working his way up to become captain.. Return from cancer.. A true role model and hero.

[@edgymcedgelord5297]

I remember Saku retiring. It was my 13th birthday and I was devastated

[@WelderKev24]

Love this guy best captain ever

[@dtendy4153]

saku koivu is so inspirational

[@BjornTheWombat]

Koivu was my favorite player when I started watching. I still remember being sad hearing that he was leaving the habs

[@saltywingsandavsfan]

Habs legend

[@jordancivic96]

This was great. one of my favourite players growing up. I still remember watching his return from cancer against the Senators

[@alainsoucysergerie9879]

When you start a game on the legendary (and also finnish) Eastside Hockey Manager with original rosters, Saku was on the side from day 1, being on IR indefinitely with an "abdomen injury". Only a handful of days later, it turns to "5 to 6 months" so he gets back ans fully healthy by the very end of the season and/or the playoffs. I played the hell outta that EHM thing, that was insane. Thanks Risto Remes!

[@Ylinatsiperkele]

Man, in any other team than Canadiens his number would be retired, but since with the long and prestigious history there's no room for the guy. And no cup so he never gets into HHoF Great player, even greater leader

[@warriner1290]

excellent video, but remember... he also helped raise ~$8M for a PET scanner in a montreal hospital.

[@Nick22FIN]

Great video! Its always nice to see people appreciate Saku Koivu. Saku has always been my favourite player.

[@TheEDFLegacy]

I lost my mom to uterine cancer, so I know how rough cancer is. What a champ! Happy that be beat it, and kept going!

[@whoismarkk]

he was a beast

[@butchcassidy8199]

Saku is actually doing private coaching on TPS's young talents. He worked many years with Kakko for example. And also was tutoring Kotkaniemi when going to Habs. He said recently that there is a new super star growing now in TPS Turku, didn't say his name to not put any extra pressure.

[@709mash]

His return was something special. I hate the Habs, but Saku is a legend.

[@joesansone2790]

God bless all ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@disneyfan8719]

YEAH! A HABS VIDEO! Lol But in all seriousness, Koivu was a real hero in Montreal! Too bad he couldn't win a cup...

[@canuck_gamer3359]

The greatest North American sports franchise was the Montreal Canadiens until the mid '90's. And in the long history of the organization Saku Koivu has the sad distinction of being the greatest Canadien's captain to have never won a Stanley Cup. Great franchises are rare because to achieve greatness the ownership has to have the discipline to not involve itself in the day to day operation of the team. The ownership hires the very best management possible and that is what has been missing from Montreal since 2000. Saku...you deserved better!

[@GF-wi6qi]

Saku 😢

[@voinmiesmiesvoi4655]

saku is the best

[@elonmusk3139]

Legendary player in MTL

[@Petteri82]

I was a Canadiens fan way before Koivu, I think from around 1993. Letting your captain go to the ducks made me question if I was anymore. That was such a shame.

[@loltrope3266]

Saku wanted to play with his good friend temmu, i think thats why he got traded to anaheim

[@burntpato9760]

you should make a video on alexei cherepanov

[@tonilahteenmaki281]

🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@mikethetank8785]

you should do a video on mike fisher

[@gordieparenteau6555]

Mon Capitaine, Mon Héros.

[@kanivainio]

Perkele

[@shaman2384]

I don't like he had to have cancer for everyone to understand that he is an amazing human being, but since it did the trick ill take it..

[@seanroman6885]

Right player Right time video idea? Doug Weight Carolina Hurricanes.

[@jepejupi]

He is a great example of Finnish "sisu"

[@ddc2784]

Hi

[@SpookyBitch__]

From Cancer to the Hall...so is this like Jack Eichel- Taylor Hall preview video?

[@arne3045]

By cancer I´m presuming you mean the Sabres, regarding Eichel and Hall?

[@tottenhambremsspur2926]

Last time i came this early, my girlfriend left me 🙃

[@LucaBrasi0]

What Hall of fame?

[@Dick_Pippel]

iihf

[@shrkypeek]

It's called "Sisu"

[@LohiHarHar]

No. It's just being Saku Koivu

[@Kimble81]

TORILLE!

[@RealWalterWhite123]

So is whatever happened to just retired

[@lucashaynes8021]

First

[@nickisvery303]

Mikkos better 😳

[@nickisvery303]

Jk

[@ffej4895]

Hate Montreal Love Koivu

[@daveyboy_]

He played on terrible Habs teams

[@pixelj4877]

Unpopular opinion but I was never a big fan of Koivu. I've watched nearly every habs game since 1992 and have seen many come and go. I don't think he was ever a good fit to be the habs captain. He never gave me the impression of showing any leadership qualities. You could see him often get upset with teammates on the bench, he had some skirmishes with other players in practice and the team was divided into clicks during his years. He was also rarely available to the media and quite rude in the exchanges. He was also fragile and often injured. Sure, him beating cancer and coming back is a great story, I was happy for him when he pulled through. It is in a way unfair to criticize him given how little talent he was surrounded with during those years. Still, it is my personal opinion part of the problem in Montreal during those years is that the core of the team, the so called 'heart and soul' was Koivu. In my view, the habs were doomed to fail building a team around him.

[@notqut7321]

Some of the rudeness towards media could be cultural differences. Us Finns tend to be very straight to the point and it can come out as rude especially when translated to imperfect English. When playing to the national team he was very nice to the media and is for ever etched as the de-facto captain of the Finnish national team for every Finn around my age. I really can't say anything about the other points you mentioned, since I wasn't really following NHL at the time.

[@pixelj4877]

@@notqut7321 It indeed could be cultural differences. I'm not downplaying his great international career for team Finland or his statistical accomplishments as a finish-born player in the NHL. I just personally don't think he had the leadership qualities necessary to be the captain of the Canadiens. Players have come out years later in interviews talking about how he was in the dressing room, especially towards younger players (it's not good) and I personally witnessed so many moments on the ice that were not 'captain'-like. All in all, good statistical career but overrated leadership qualities.

[@h4jk3rn]

You people didn't deserve him anyway you ungrateful bastards, he was way too good for you. His team was holding him back. ''Fans'' like you make me sick. He was literally carrying the whole team almost alone for 13 years! You're calling him out for being weak. He had CANCER, let us give you cancer and see how easy it is and how strong you feel then, just the fact that he survived it is a testament of his strength, but to top it off he managed to come back months before he was supposed to be ready. What do you expect a captain to do with his teammates when they are not doing their best, bake them a cake and tell them that everything will be alright? No! A leader takes charge and command, a leader's main job isn't to be liked, but to be respected and followed.

[@pixelj4877]

@@h4jk3rn Why so angry? I always thought he was a good player with overrated leadership qualities. And I don't think he was weak at all. Fighting cancer takes a lot of strength to overcome. I said he was often injured, which is true. And like I said in my comment, it's unfair to criticize him as a player, production-wise, with the lack of talent around him, which is not what I did. I love and support the habs and all their players. I've been a supporter of Price from day one while many have jumped on and off the hate-train over the years. I don't think there's anything wrong with saying it's my opinion he wasn't a good fit to be the captain of the team.

[@hankdasilva3817]

@@pixelj4877 Aside from the other points, it's not the captain's job to be the team mascot, he doesn't have to put on a fake happy face for reporters asking idiot questions and placing unreasonable expectations on a mediocre team he's trying to carry.

[@leafsfanforever2896]

Saku Koivu *IS NOT* a Hall of Famer

[@h4jk3rn]

Pay attention you moron, he clearly said IIHF Hall of Fame.

[@villetopi4001]

@@h4jk3rn quite sure he didn't watch the video in the first place

[@z3rofr3ez42]

First

[@GF-wi6qi]

You were