MONTREAL - At the request of Guy Lapointe and his family, the Montreal Canadiens announced today that former defenseman and Hall of Famer Guy Lapointe was diagnosed with oral cancer.

"Dr. Keith Richardson, the treating physician from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), indicated that the cancer is located at the base of the tongue. Lapointe will begin his treatments in the coming weeks. This form of cancer has a high cure rate.

"The family wishes to thank the personnel at the MUHC as well as all hockey fans and asks for respect of their privacy as they face this challenge."

