HOF Mario Lemieux provides perfect dose for Capitals prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko to fight against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

<strong>HOF Mario Lemieux provides perfect dose for Capitals prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko to fight against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma</strong>

Ivan Miroshnichenko and Mario Lemieux

Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux’s call to Washington Capitals prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko inspired the 18-year-old to fight against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and win over it. Ivan was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease last summer. As a Capitals prospect, he had his eyes set on NHL, but the hardship during these times made things difficult.

A call from the HOF was the perfect medicine with the perfect dose, to cure any insecurities the young forward might have had. After all, Lemieux also suffered from the same disease after 40 games in 1992-93. He knows very well how it feels at this point, so he reached out to the young player. 

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Ivan stated, “In my research, I learned that the type of lymphoma I had responded to treatment well and had a high cure rate”. “But in addition, Mario Lemieux reached out to me in March and we had a great conversation. Knowing that Mr. Lemieux was the League MVP after having Hodgkin’s lymphoma helped me a lot.”

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Ivan Miroshnichenko grateful that Capitals chose him during the 2022 NHL Draft

Ivan Miroshnichenko
Ivan Miroshnichenko

Mario Lemieux’s story is indeed an inspiring one, as the “Magnificient One” overcame his medical ailment, and won several medals after it. Even after weeks of radiation treatments, he won the Art Ross Trophy as NHL’s leading scorer with 160 points in 60 games. 

Though he took a break f0r the 1994-1995 season because of fatigue, he bounced back on the ice in the 1995-96 season, winning the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. He recorded 161 points with 69 goals and 92 assists in 70 games that season. Later on November 17, 1997, Lemieux was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Ivan missed the 2021-22 season after being diagnosed with Omsk Krylia in Russia. Ivan was later cleared for training in June, after overcoming all the pain with perseverance and a call from Lemieux. He stated, “I knew that something was wrong, but it was difficult to believe it was cancer”. 

“I received treatment for about three months, and they were difficult times, but the support I received helped me persevere.” “I’m cancer-free now, don’t need any treatments, or need to be under the doctor’s care”. “Physically, I’m pretty much there, but it will take some more time for some aspects of the game to get to where I want them to be.”

In 2021, Ivan helped the team win the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as Russia’s captain with 9 points, 4 goals, and 5 assists. After having a video conference with the Capitals, he said he felt more motivated and “wanted”. It provided him with another reason to fight against his adversities.

Ivan felt grateful that it was the Capitals who chose him, “When you go through adversity like I did, where I’d be selected in the draft wasn’t relevant”. “I wanted to play for a team that really wanted me. After the in-person interview with Washington, I felt wanted and I couldn’t be happier to be with Washington.”

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