Cancer surgery for Bruin

Two days ago, 19-year-old Bruins rookie Phil Kessel underwent successful surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Kessel's agent, Wade Arnott, said yesterday that the procedure was cancer-related. Arnott did not, however, confirm a Channel 4 report that Kessel had been diagnosed with testicular cancer.

"He's resting in Boston," Arnott said, "and on the road to recovery."

Arnott said Kessel, who was recuperating at Mass. General yesterday, had felt minor symptoms related to his condition leading up to the diagnosis.

"He got thrown a curveball," Arnott said, "but he's holding up pretty well."

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, though declining to cite specifics of Kessel's condition, confirmed the news first issued by Arnott.

"He's resting nicely and resting well," said Chiarelli. "The Bruins will have a statement on behalf of the family to follow up when they advise us."

Chiarelli said he spoke to Kessel and that the rookie sounded good.

Last night's game against the Canadiens in Montreal was the first one missed by the native of Madison, Wis., in his rookie season. Through 27 games, Kessel had five goals and four assists. He also had not missed any practice time and had not complained publicly of any physical ailments.

John Hynes, coach of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program's Under-17 team, said Kessel never had any physical setbacks during his two years with the NTDP in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Last year, as a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Kessel played in 39 games, collecting 18 goals and 33 assists. Kessel missed two games for the Golden Gophers because he was competing for Team USA in the World Junior Championships.

Kessel saw his last action Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The rookie, who had been skating mostly on the fourth line, played several shifts on the No. 1 line with Marc Savard and Glen Murray. On Saturday, Kessel skated 16 shifts for 12:21 of ice time.

He has averaged 12:54 of ice time per game and scored his first career goal Oct. 21 in a 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at TD Banknorth Garden.

On Nov. 30, Kessel powered the Bruins to a 4-3 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Garden. Kessel was the only Bruin of seven shooters to score in the shootout against Marc Denis, picking the top corner over the goalie's glove.

"Obviously it's a tough situation," teammate Brad Stuart said before last night's game. "Hopefully it will bring us closer together. We're just focusing on what we've got to do tonight."

"Hockey's such a fast, physical game," said Jason York. "You cannot be thinking about other things once the puck is dropped, or else you're going to get yourself hurt out there.

"There's other sports like baseball, where you can sit in the outfield. But hockey, you have to clear your mind and be ready to play the game. It's just unfortunate to have this happen. We're all thinking about Phil."

"It always seems to happen around the holidays, eh? Bad things always seem to happen around Christmastime."

Last night's opponents, the Canadiens, were dealing with grim news of their own. Laura Gainey, the daughter of Montreal GM Bob Gainey, was swept from the deck of a sailing ship last Friday, and the search for her was called off Monday.

"The players love to play," said coach Dave Lewis, addressing the adversity affecting both clubs. "That's their whole life. That's what they focus on and achieve to get here. When you get an opportunity to play, that's their special time. They forget about all the other things that are going on."