Former Rockets forward Pavel Novak announced in an Instagram post on Wednesday that he has beaten cancer.
"After a few months of troubles, I’m happy to share with you that I beat the cancer," he stated. "There is no better feeling than to be healthy again."
Novak was diagnosed with an oncological disease in June, forcing him to put the pause on his professional hockey career.
The 20-year-old Tabor, Czechia native was drafted by the Minnesota Wild with the 146th pick in the fifth round of the NHL Draft in 2020. He spent two seasons with the Rockets, accumulating 72 points last year, and 58 in 2019-20.
In the 2020-21 season, Novak spent it in the Czech League with Ceske Budejovice.
Once Novak gets back to full strength, he will continue his hockey career within the Wild development system, as he signed a three-year entry level contract with the club in May. His most likely spot will be with the AHL's Iowa Wild.
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