When Pittsburgh Penguins doctors found a tumor in defenseman Olli Maatta's thyroid gland during a physical, they took action right away which could have saved his life.
Olli Maatta confirms that the tumor surgically removed from his thyroid last week was cancerous #Pens
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 13, 2014
Maatta underwent surgery on Nov. 4 to remove the tumor, and was given a four-week timetable to recover. Head coach Mike Johnston said Thursday Maatta is at least five days away from returning to the Penguins lineup.
He continues to work out with the team during his recovery process.