NBC hockey analyst Pierre McGuire diagnosed with prostate cancer

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY

NBC analyst Pierre McGuire remembers the late Hall of Fame coach Pat Burns imploring him and others in the hockey coaching community to schedule regular colonoscopies. Now he will be the guy reminding coaches of the importance of prostate exams.

The announcement that McGuire has been diagnosed with prostate cancer was made before NBC Sports Network's "Wednesday Night Rivalry" game between the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks.

“I had no symptoms at all,” McGuire, 56, told USA TODAY Sports. “If I wouldn’t have had a physical, I would have kept going and I never would have known, because nothing was bothering me.”

McGuire said his doctor Michael Cohen noted an irregularity in his PSA screening during his yearly physical at Columbia Presbyterian and subsequent tests revealed a cancerous lesion. He worked the Blackhawks-New York Rangers game on Jan. 3, and then had the tumor removed the following morning.

Doctors determined McGuire has stage 1 cancer, and no chemotherapy is currently planned. McGuire expects to return to NBC next month for the Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“I’m back doing radio and I’m watching games every night,” McGuire said. “I can’t travel right now. That’s what is holding me back.”

More: Blackhawks, Coyotes make four-player trade

More: 2018 NHL All-Star rosters

More: All-Star-worthy players who missed out

According to McGuire, one reason he pushed to have the surgery quickly was to give him the opportunity to be ready for the Olympics. He believes he will be ready for the grind of Olympic coverage.

“I feel fine. I feel great,” McGuire said. “I’m walking 3 ½ miles every day. Can’t do much else because of the sutures.”

McGuire’s diagnosis comes five months after NBC analyst Ed Olczyk was diagnosed with colon cancer. Olczyk is still receiving chemotherapy and has worked when he has felt up to it.

NBC broadcaster Mike Emrick is a prostate cancer survivor. “Doc has been an amazing resource,” McGuire said. “I’m so grateful to the NBC hockey family. NBC (people) have been phenomenal.”

McGuire said Olczyk told him simply, “You got to fight and stay positive and I said, ‘I agree.’ ”