SB Nation Chicago - Stan Mikita, Blackhawks Legend, Diagnosed With Oral Cancerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2011-05-24T17:56:58-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19524922011-05-24T17:56:58-05:002011-05-24T17:56:58-05:00Stan Mikita, Blackhawks Legend, Diagnosed With Oral Cancer
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> legend Stan Mikita has been diagnosed with oral cancer,<a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=563665" target="_blank"> the NHL announced on Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>The cancer is considered to be in its Stage 1 phase, meaning the disease has been caught in its early stages, leaves plenty of room for optimism from the No. 21 fans around the world.</p>
<p>"Stan has been diagnosed with an early base of tongue cancer and the prognosis is excellent," Dr. Richard Borrowdale of Loyola Medical Center said in a release from the team. "He will be treated with external beam radiation therapy."</p>
<p>Mikita began his professional hockey career with the Blackhawks in 1958 at just 18 years of age and played 22 seasons with the team before retiring following the 1979-80 season.</p>
<p>During his career in Chicago, Mikita ended up with four Art Ross trophies (most points in a season), two Hart Memorial trophies (regular season MVP), two Lady Byng trophies (sportsmanship) while also being a nine-time NHL All-Star and helping lead the Blackhawks to the 1961 championship.</p>
<p>Mikita, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 and has had his jersey retired by the team since the legend himself retired, is scheduled to have a trophy built in his honor this summer in front of the United Center.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/2011/5/24/2335663/stan-mikita-blackhawks-legend-diagnosed-with-oral-cancerScott Schroeder