Few moments truly transcend sports. However, when Saku Koivu came back from stomach cancer — in the same season he was diagnosed, no less — it wasn’t just a boost to his team. It was superhuman.

Editor's note: This is the eighth in a series highlighting the NHL's most memorable and important moments of the decade.

Toughness is an attribute common to all hockey players. Just watch the headlines in the days following the Stanley Cup finals, and you'll understand when news of injury after injury inevitably trickles down. Playing hurt is just part of the game.

But to come back from a serious illness? To come back from cancer? That takes more than toughness.

This decade has seen some marvelous returns from cancer to the NHL, including Mario Lemieux and Phil Kessel. But only one sparked emotion throughout the sports world and turned an athlete into a legend, and a national hero, in his home country.

Saku Koivu was returning to Montreal after an injury-plagued 2000-01 campaign saw him play just 54 games. He was excited about the Canadiens squad, as well as his own prospects for improving on a 47-point season. Koivu was 100 percent healthy and chomping at the bit to get to training camp.

So he boarded a flight for Montreal to begin preparing, where he began feeling discomfort in his stomach. The feeling worsened as the flight headed toward Canada and, the following day, Koivu contacted Montreal's team doctor, David Mulder. By this point, the captain's condition had worsened and his symptoms now included severe vomiting.

Mulder, thinking that it was the stomach flu, gave Koivu medication to alleviate the pain and the symptoms but, by morning, it was clear that the medication was not working.

On Sept. 5, 2001, Koivu was hospitalized and underwent a biopsy surgery on his abdomen. The surgery revealed both a tumor and malignant cells in his abdomen. The Habs' captain had cancer.

Following the surgery, Koivu was given a bleak diagnosis: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma starts in the lymphocytes of the body, most commonly found in lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues, such as bone marrow. According to the American Cancer Society, this type of cancer accounts for 4 percent of all cancers, with a survival rate of 65 percent after five years and 54 percent after ten.

Despite the bleak news, Koivu remained optimistic. In an emotional press conference, he vowed to make a full recovery from the disease and one day return to the NHL.

The public was clamoring for information on Koivu's situation but, as Koivu was about to begin his radiation therapy treatment, he had one simple request of the media: "Leave me alone." Reporters happily complied, allowing Koivu to focus on his treatment and recovery.

In Jan. 2002, Koivu's treatment had ended and it was announced that the captain was expected to make a full recovery. It was assumed that Koivu would take his time getting back into shape, taking it slow and aiming for a return in the 2002-03 season.

But with the Canadiens in the midst of a heated playoff race with the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, and the New York Rangers and Islanders for the final three spots, Koivu had other plans.

Heading into the final week of the season, the eighth and final playoff spot had yet to be solidified. It was then that Saku Koivu held a press conference that shocked the sports world. On April 8, 2002, Koivu stood before the media and announced that his rehab was complete. In addition, he announced that he was ready to return to the lineup in order to help his team reach the postseason.

Koivu's emotional return the next day sparked the Habs to a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators, allowing them to clinch the final Eastern Conference playoff berth

Koivu and the Canadiens could have been satisfied with that. He was victorious over cancer and had helped his team make the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. It was a job well done.

But, for Koivu, it wasn't a job completed.

The Habs rolled into town against the rival Boston Bruins. The Canadiens were quickly written off by nearly everybody. It was suggested that Koivu and company could not handle the pressure and the renewed intensity of the rivalry or the playoffs. But, just as their captain did with his personal struggles, the Habs did not back down.

Koivu had a particularly daunting task in front of him, knowing that he would be matched up against 6-foot-5 Bruins center Joe Thornton for the majority of the series. Led by Koivu, the Habs were ready for their Original Six rivals, dispatching them in six games before falling to the eventual conference-champion Carolina Hurricanes in six games.

Despite the hardships of the season, Koivu showed his leadership on and off the ice as he tied with Donald Audette and Doug Gilmour for the team's lead in points in the postseason with 10.

For 13 seasons, Saku Koivu was a key part to the Montreal Canadiens' organization and its longest-serving captain. He was the heart and soul of the squad for years prior and for years to come. He provided many memorable moments for fans, but none more memorable than April 9, 2002 — his triumphant return to the ice.

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