The Philadelphia Flyers signed Oskar Lindblom to a $9 million, three-year contract extension Wednesday only weeks after the promising forward completed radiation treatments for a rare form of bone cancer.
The Flyers hope the 23-year-old Lindblom can be among the 31 players who will travel with the team to Toronto for the Aug. 1 scheduled resumption of the hockey season.
Lindblom hasn't played since December when he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a tumour that grows in the bones or in the tissue around bones. He had 11 goals and 18 points in 30 games this season.
Lindblom completed radiation treatments July 2.
``The support that the organization, the fans, and the entire NHL has given me has been quite overwhelming,'' Lindblom said. ``I can't wait to get back skating with the boys and being the professional hockey player I know I can be. I want to thank the Flyers for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to the day I'm back and contributing to the team's success.''
Lindblom is a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually by the NHL to the player who best embodies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game.
A native of Gavle, Sweden, Lindblom was originally selected by the Flyers in the fifth round of the 2014 draft.
with files from (The Associated Press)