After six seasons in the NHL , Koivu was diagnosed with Burkitt 's lymphoma , a non-Hodgkin 's lymphoma . on September 6 , 2001 , and missed nearly the entire 2001 -- 02 season .
On September 6 , 2001 , Koivu was diagnosed with Burkitt 's lymphoma , a non-Hodgkin 's lymphoma and he nearly all of the 2001 -- 02 season .