Saku Koivu: 2001-02
After his sixth season in the NHL, Koivu received a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He missed nearly the entire 2001-02 season, making a remarkable comeback for the last few games. Habs fans fondly remember the standing ovation on home ice in the team's final regular season matchup.
Koivu helped his team make the playoffs, upsetting the top-seeded Boston Bruins in six games. The Finland native was given the Bill Masterton Trophy for his courage in returning from the illness.