Former New York Islanders winger Mike Bossy, who helped the team win four straight Stanley Cups, has disclosed that he’s been diagnosed with lung cancer.
The Montreal native revealed the news in a letter to TVA Sports, the French-language network where he works as a hockey analyst.
He will take leave from his job while undergoing treatment.
Bossy wrote in French that “It is with a lot of sadness that I need to step away from your screens, for a necessary pause. During this break I’ll be receiving treatment for lung cancer. (The score is) 1-0 so far, but I haven’t said my last word.”
He added that “I intend to fight with all the determination and fire you’ve seen me show on the ice.”
The 64-year-old Bossy had 573 goals and 1,126 points over 10 seasons with the Islanders, hoisting the Cup every year from 1980-83.
He was named the league’s top rookie in 1978, led the league in goals in 1978-79 and 1980-81, and was the league’s MVP in 1982.
Bossy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.