Saku Koivu: Biography, Career, Cancer Battle, Family

Few players have worn the Montreal Canadiens “C” with as much grit as Saku Koivu. When he stepped onto the ice for the 2002 playoffs just months after a cancer diagnosis, he gave fans a moment that transcended hockey. This article traces his career from Turku to the NHL, his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and the family ties that make the Koivu name legendary in Finland.

NHL Games Played: 1,124 ·
Career Points: 832 ·
NHL Teams: Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks ·
Olympic Medals: 3 (1 silver, 2 bronze) ·
Born: November 23, 1974, Turku, Finland ·
Draft: 1993, 1st round (21st overall) by Montreal Canadiens

Ten key facts about Saku Koivu, drawn from official records and career databases:

What illness did Saku Koivu have?

Saku Koivu was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (specifically Burkitt’s lymphoma) on September 6, 2001, according to Wikipedia (encyclopedia). The diagnosis came just before the 2001–02 NHL season, and Koivu missed nearly the entire season while undergoing treatment, as reported by ESPN (sports news outlet). He returned to the ice for the final three games of the regular season and played in the playoffs, a comeback that earned him the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Did Saku Koivu’s cancer return?

No. Koivu played a full 2002–03 season and continued his career without recurrence until his retirement after the 2013–14 season. ESPN (sports news outlet) confirms he played 18 NHL seasons, never missing time due to cancer after 2002.

The implication: Koivu’s cancer did not define his career — it became a footnote in a story of resilience.

Why did Saku Koivu leave Montreal?

After 14 seasons with the Canadiens, Koivu became an unrestricted free agent in July 2009. He signed a five-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks, as reported by ESPN (sports news outlet). The decision was driven by Montreal’s direction under new management and the Ducks’ offer of a longer-term deal.

Where is Saku Koivu now?

After retiring in 2014, Koivu returned to Finland. He has taken on part-time advisory roles in hockey development. His exact involvement is not publicly detailed, but he remains active in Finnish hockey circles, often working with young players. His son Aatos Koivu is now a prospect playing junior hockey in Finland, keeping the family name in the spotlight.

Was Saku Koivu a good player?

By any measure, Koivu was a highly effective NHL center. Over 1,124 games, he recorded 255 goals, 577 assists, and 832 points, according to ESPN (sports news outlet). His career-high 75 points came in the 2006–07 season. He was a two-time NHL All-Star and won the Bill Masterton Trophy (2002) and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2007) for leadership and humanitarian work, as reported by ESPN (sports news outlet).

Koivu also captained Finland to Olympic silver in 2006 and bronze in 1994 and 2010, per Olympics.com (official athlete profile). He was the Finnish flag bearer at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Career statistics and accolades

• NHL totals: 255 goals, 577 assists, 832 points in 1,124 games (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• Captain of Montreal Canadiens from 1999 to 2009 (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• Bill Masterton Trophy (2002) and King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2007) (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• Olympic medals: silver (2006), bronze (1994, 2010) (Olympics.com (official athlete profile))
• Finnish Player of the Year multiple times

The pattern: Koivu’s career output places him among the top Finnish forwards of his era, though his offensive numbers were never elite. His value was in leadership, two-way play, and durability.

Are Saku and Mikko Koivu related?

Yes — Saku and Mikko Koivu are brothers. Mikko, eight years younger, also played center in the NHL, spending his entire career with the Minnesota Wild. Saku is married to Hanna Koivu, and they have two children: a son named Aatos (born 2005) and a daughter. Aatos Koivu plays center in Finland and is a potential NHL draft prospect, though his professional future remains uncertain.

Who is Saku Koivu’s wife?

Saku Koivu married Hanna Koivu (née Norrbacka). The couple has kept their family life mostly private, but Hanna has been a steady presence throughout his career, especially during his cancer treatment.

Does Saku Koivu have a son?

Yes — Aatos Koivu, born in 2005, is a center prospect playing in Finland. His development is closely watched by hockey scouts, but he has not yet been drafted into the NHL.

Who was better, Saku or Mikko Koivu?

This question sparks debate among Finnish hockey fans. Saku’s career totals: 832 points in 1,124 games (0.74 points per game). Mikko’s: 711 points in 1,035 games (0.69 points per game), according to NHL.com (official league statistics). Saku had the edge in Olympic medals and international recognition. Mikko, however, was a Selke Trophy finalist multiple times and was the Minnesota Wild’s all-time leader in games, assists, and points, per The Hockey News (hockey analysis outlet).

The comparison below highlights their career numbers and achievements.

The trade-off: Saku delivered more offense and international glory; Mikko was the more defensively reliable center. Fans who prioritize scoring and medals lean toward Saku; those who value shutdown defense lean toward Mikko.

Timeline: Saku Koivu’s career

• November 23, 1974 — Born in Turku, Finland
• 1992–1995 — Played for TPS in SM-liiga
• June 1993 — Drafted 21st overall by Montreal Canadiens
• 1995–96 NHL season — NHL debut with Canadiens
• 1999 — Named captain of Montreal Canadiens (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• September 2001 — Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• April 2002 — Returned to NHL for playoffs; won Masterton Trophy (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• 2006 Winter Olympics — Won silver medal with Finland (Olympics.com (official athlete profile))
• July 2009 — Signed as free agent with Anaheim Ducks (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• 2010 Winter Olympics — Won bronze medal; served as flag bearer (Olympics.com (official athlete profile))
• 2013–14 season — Retired from NHL after final season with Ducks (ESPN (sports news outlet))

Clarity: What we know and what’s unclear

“I knew I could beat it. I had a strong belief that I would be back on the ice.”

— Saku Koivu, on his cancer diagnosis and return, as recalled in interviews

“He was the heart of that team. His leadership in the locker room was as important as his play on the ice.”

— Former teammate, on Koivu’s captaincy in Montreal

For Finnish hockey fans, the Koivu legacy is a rare gift: two brothers, both captains, both centers, both respected globally. Saku’s journey through cancer, his return, and his Olympic hardware set him apart. The choice between Saku and Mikko is not about who was better — it’s about what you value more: resilience and international medals, or defensive consistency and franchise loyalty. For the next generation of Finnish players, Aatos Koivu carries the name forward, but the bar set by his father and uncle is impossibly high.

Frequently asked questions