The Montreal Canadiens say Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lapointe has been detected with oral cancer.
The NHL team provided a statement today at the request of Lapointe and his family.
The cancer lies at the base of the tongue and the 71-year-old will begin treatments in the coming weeks.
The statement also states this kind of cancer has a high cure rate.
Lapointe, a Montreal native, played the majority of his 16-year NHL career with the Canadiens.
The defenceman won the Stanley Cup on six celebrations with Montreal before closing out his profession with stops in St. Louis and Boston.