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Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach discusses quietly fighting Stage 3 cancer while working behind the bench
Penguins assistant coach Mike Stothers has spoken publicly about what it was like to coach for the Anaheim Ducks while battling stage 3 cancer.
Assistant coach Mike Stothers of the Penguins is a true hockey lifer. A first-round pick of the Flyers, he spent over a decade playing professionally in the AHL and NHL throughout the 1980s and 90s before moving behind the bench.
Now 63, he's logged more than 30 years coaching across multiple leagues, bringing energy and passion whether he's on the ice, on the bench, or working behind the scenes.
The cancer that Mike Stothers was diagnosed with
In 2023, his career almost came to an end when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma of the lymph node while serving as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks.
What was originally a small spot in his groin grew over time to provoke exams, blood work, and finally a biopsy that showed cancer.
Stothers got the diagnosis on a Ducks road trip to Tampa Bay, getting the call from his oncologist as he boarded the team bus. He immediately phoned his wife, Judi, and daughters Logan and Ashley, then informed the staff after the game.
Why Mike Stothers continued coaching despite having cancer
Surgery wasn't possible at first due to the size of the tumor, so he continued coaching while undergoing immunotherapy and hospital infusions of Keytruda.
"The organization was great. They said, if you want to go home, you can. And I was like, well, be honest with you, I can't get in to see the doctors until we get back anyway. So, I'd rather stay busy. So, I finished out the road trip.
"From there, we went to Washington and then Carolina, and I told (Hurricanes head coach) Rod Brind'Amour since we're close friends. He was like, what are you doing? Just go home. I'm like, Rod, it's me and my wife, we're both gonna sit there with a million questions. I said, at least I'm busy."
"From there, we went to Washington and then Carolina, and I told (Hurricanes head coach) Rod Brind'Amour since we're close friends. He was like, what are you doing? Just go home. I'm like, Rod, it's me and my wife, we're both gonna sit there with a million questions. I said, at least I'm busy."
The treatment worked, shrinking the tumor enough for surgery following the season, followed by lymphatic microsurgery and six weeks of recovery.
While he could have stayed with Anaheim in a more behind-the-scenes capacity, Stothers decided to head back home to Ontario and considered retiring, only willing to return for the right fit.
It wasn't until talking to Dan Muse and learning more about the culture in Pittsburgh that he joined the Penguins staff.
"I was like, okay, I can get on board for these guys," Stothers said.
"And I mean, I've been with a lot of different organizations, and I've enjoyed my time with each and every one. But there's something about the Penguins and how they operate. They are first class, with everything. Certainly, how they treat everybody in the organization. So, that appealed to me, and I did feel like there was some unfinished business. If it had to end that way, that was fine, but it wasn't on my terms. So, I'd kind of like to ride out into the sunset."
"And I mean, I've been with a lot of different organizations, and I've enjoyed my time with each and every one. But there's something about the Penguins and how they operate. They are first class, with everything. Certainly, how they treat everybody in the organization. So, that appealed to me, and I did feel like there was some unfinished business. If it had to end that way, that was fine, but it wasn't on my terms. So, I'd kind of like to ride out into the sunset."
Stothers says he feels fortunate to keep doing what he loves, and the team is just as grateful to have him.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 21 | 26 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach discusses quietly fighting Stage 3 cancer while working behind the bench Are you surprised to know that Mike Stothers was coaching while battling cancer? | ||
| Yes | 22 | 84.6 % |
| No | 4 | 15.4 % |
| List of polls | ||