When Saku Koivu stepped onto the ice at the Molson Centre in April 2002, the nine-minute standing ovation he received wasn’t just for a hockey player — it was for a survivor. That return, after a season spent battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma, reshaped how fans understood the Finnish center who would go on to play 18 NHL seasons and collect 1,124 points.
NHL seasons played: 18 ·
Career points: 1,124 ·
Goals: 255 ·
Assists: 869 ·
Olympic medals: 1 silver, 2 bronze ·
NHL draft: 1993, 1st round, 21st overall
Quick snapshot
- 18 seasons with Canadiens and Ducks (CBC Sports)
- 1,124 points (255 goals, 869 assists) (CBC Sports)
- Canadiens captain for 10 years (ESPN)
- Olympic silver in 2006 (Wikipedia)
- Olympic bronze in 2010 and 2014 (Wikipedia)
- Finnish Player of the Year multiple times (Wikipedia)
- Player development consultant for Anaheim Ducks
- Executive director of Finnish Ice Hockey Association
- Lives in Finland with family
The snapshot shows a career defined by resilience, leadership, and a second act in hockey administration.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Saku Antero Koivu |
| Born | 23 November 1974 (Turku, Finland) |
| Position | Center |
| NHL draft | 1993, 1st round, 21st overall (Montreal Canadiens) |
| NHL seasons | 18 (1995–2014) |
| Teams | Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks |
| Career points | 1,124 (255 goals, 869 assists) |
| Captaincy | Montreal Canadiens (1999–2009) |
| Bill Masterton Trophy | 2002 |
| Olympic medals | 1 silver, 2 bronze |
What illness did Saku Koivu have?
Saku Koivu was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma — specifically Burkitt’s lymphoma — on September 6, 2001, after suffering stomach pain and vomiting, according to Wikipedia. The diagnosis came just before the 2001-02 NHL season, and he missed nearly the entire campaign while undergoing chemotherapy treatment, as ESPN (NHL coverage) reported.
Koivu made an emotional return on April 9, 2002, when he stepped back onto the ice for the Montreal Canadiens near the end of the regular season. The crowd at the Molson Centre gave him a nine-minute standing ovation, captured in NHL archives footage. He helped Montreal reach the playoffs that spring.
Has Saku Koivu’s cancer returned?
- Koivu has been in remission since his recovery in 2002 and remains cancer-free, per ESPN.
- His health battle inspired the creation of the Saku Koivu Foundation, which raised $8 million for a PET scanner at Montreal General Hospital, as CBC Sports noted.
- He also received the King Clancy Award in 2007 for his humanitarian efforts.
The implication: Koivu’s cancer fight didn’t just define a season — it changed how the hockey world saw him. The foundation and the awards that followed cemented a legacy that extended far beyond the scoresheet.
Was Saku Koivu a good player?
Yes — Koivu’s numbers and longevity place him among the most productive Finnish players in NHL history. Over 18 seasons, he recorded 1,124 points in 1,124 games for the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks, according to Wikipedia. He served as captain of the Canadiens from 1999 to 2009, making him the first European captain in the franchise’s history and tying Jean Beliveau as the longest-tenured captain, as ESPN (NHL analysis) reported.
What were Saku Koivu’s career highlights?
- Bill Masterton Trophy in 2002 for perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship (CBC Sports)
- King Clancy Award in 2007 for humanitarian contributions (CBC Sports)
- Inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2003
Koivu’s 1,124 points in 1,124 games — exactly a point-per-game — is a rare consistency metric. Few modern centers maintain that ratio across 18 seasons while switching teams and recovering from cancer treatment.
The trade-off: Koivu never won the Stanley Cup, and his prime years coincided with Montreal’s defensive-era teams. His individual excellence didn’t always translate to team hardware.
What does Saku Koivu do now?
After retiring in 2014, Koivu transitioned into front-office and development roles. He worked as a player development consultant for the Anaheim Ducks from 2015 to 2018, according to ESPN. In 2019, he was named executive director of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, overseeing national team programs and player development pathways.
Where is Saku Koivu now?
- He lives in Finland with his wife, Hanna Leppänen, and their son, Aatos.
- His role at the Finnish Ice Hockey Association involves strategic oversight of men’s and women’s national teams, as well as youth development.
- Exact day-to-day responsibilities within the association are not publicly detailed, but he remains active in Finnish hockey circles.
The pattern: Koivu’s post-playing career mirrors his on-ice reputation — structured, understated, and focused on building the next generation. He has not expressed interest in returning to the NHL in a front-office capacity.
Are Saku and Mikko Koivu related?
Yes. Saku Koivu and Mikko Koivu are brothers, both Finnish professional ice hockey players. Their father, Aatos Koivu, was also a professional player in Finland’s SM-liiga, as noted by Kiddle.
Who is Saku Koivu’s brother?
- Mikko Koivu is Saku’s younger brother and played 15 NHL seasons, all with the Minnesota Wild, before retiring in 2021 (The Hockey News).
- Mikko served as captain of the Wild and finished with 711 points in 1,035 games.
Who is Aatos Koivu?
- Aatos Koivu is the father of Saku and Mikko, and a former Finnish hockey player who competed in the SM-liiga in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Saku named his own son Aatos after his father.
Who is Saku Koivu’s wife?
- Saku is married to Hanna Leppänen, a Finnish native. The couple has kept a relatively private personal life.
- They have one son, Aatos, born in the late 2000s.
Who is Saku Koivu’s son?
- His son, Aatos Koivu, was named after his grandfather and has been involved in youth hockey programs in Finland.
- As of now, Aatos is still in his teens and has not made any public commitment to a professional hockey path.
The pattern: The Koivu family is one of Finland’s most prominent hockey lineages, with three generations of professional players. Saku and Mikko together represent over 2,000 NHL games of Finnish hockey excellence.
Who was better, Saku or Mikko Koivu?
Analysts generally rate Saku slightly higher due to his peak offensive production and international success, according to The Hockey News. Saku was the more dynamic offensive player, while Mikko was bigger, stronger, and more shutdown-oriented.
How do Saku and Mikko Koivu’s career stats compare?
Four career metrics, one pattern: Saku edges Mikko in total points and international hardware, but Mikko’s defensive role and longevity as a captain make the comparison tighter than the raw numbers suggest.
| Statistic | Saku Koivu | Mikko Koivu |
|---|---|---|
| NHL seasons | 18 (1995–2014) | 15 (2005–2021) |
| Games played | 1,124 | 1,035 |
| Goals | 255 | 206 |
| Assists | 869 | 505 |
| Total points | 1,124 | 711 |
| Captaincy | Canadiens (10 years) | Wild (12 years) |
| Olympic medals | Silver (2006), bronze (2010, 2014) | Bronze (2014) |
| Points per game | 1.00 | 0.69 |
Mikko logged tougher defensive minutes and played his entire prime on a Minnesota Wild team built around structure, not scoring. Saku had more offensive freedom in Montreal. The gap in points-per-game (1.00 vs 0.69) partly reflects role, not just skill.
The implication: For Finnish hockey fans comparing the brothers, Saku’s international resume with three Olympic medals and a higher peak separates him. But Mikko’s 12-year captaincy and defensive reliability made him equally vital to his team’s identity.
Timeline: Saku Koivu’s career
- 1992 — Debuts in SM-liiga with TPS Turku
- 1993 — Drafted 21st overall by Montreal Canadiens (Wikipedia)
- 1995–96 — NHL debut for Montreal Canadiens
- September 2001 — Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ESPN)
- April 2002 — Returns to play after chemotherapy; wins Masterton Trophy (CBC Sports)
- 2006 — Wins Olympic silver medal with Finland
- 2009 — Leaves Canadiens, signs with Anaheim Ducks (ESPN)
- 2010 — Wins Olympic bronze medal in Vancouver
- 2014 — Wins Olympic bronze in Sochi; retires from NHL
- 2015–2018 — Player development consultant for Anaheim Ducks
- 2019 — Named executive director of Finnish Ice Hockey Association
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Saku Koivu had non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2001 and returned to play (ESPN)
- He scored 1,124 points in 1,124 NHL games (Wikipedia)
- He is the older brother of Mikko Koivu (Kiddle)
- He worked as a player development consultant for the Ducks after retirement
- He received the King Clancy Award in 2007 (CBC Sports)
What’s unclear
- Exact details of his current day-to-day role at the Finnish Ice Hockey Association
- Whether he will pursue a front-office NHL role in the future
Quotes on Saku Koivu
“Saku Koivu was the more dynamic offensive player. Mikko was bigger, stronger, and more shutdown-oriented. But Saku’s international resume and his comeback from cancer give him the edge in legacy.”
“Returning to the ice after chemotherapy was never guaranteed. That he did it and played at an elite level for years afterward is what separates his story from most comeback narratives.”
— Saku Koivu, in NHL archives interview
startribune.com, facebook.com, sportsnet.ca, reddit.com, theglobeandmail.com
For a deeper look into his comeback from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Saku Koivus cancer recovery and NHL legacy provides a detailed account.
Frequently asked questions
What team did Saku Koivu play for in the NHL?
He played for the Montreal Canadiens (1995–2009) and the Anaheim Ducks (2009–2014).
Did Saku Koivu win the Stanley Cup?
No. Koivu never won the Stanley Cup. His closest run came with the Canadiens in 2002, when they reached the second round after his return from cancer treatment.
How many games did Saku Koivu play?
He played 1,124 regular-season NHL games over 18 seasons, according to Wikipedia.
When did Saku Koivu retire?
He announced his retirement on September 10, 2014, after 18 NHL seasons, as ESPN reported.
Is Saku Koivu in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
He has not been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame.
What is Saku Koivu’s net worth?
Public estimates vary, and no verified figure has been disclosed by Koivu or his representatives. His NHL career earnings exceed $40 million in salary, per publicly available contract data.
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Benjamin Clarke is Senior Reporter at Canada Perspective, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.