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Chicoutimi’s Alexandre Beauregard returns from thyroid cancer, helps snap Saint John’s win streak

neate sager

Only Alexandre Beauregard can know what it really meant for him to come back from his cancer treatment to play hockey. The Chicoutimi Saguenéens winger hasn't been overly dramatic about what he's been through over the past two months, but actions speak better than words. So the fact he came back on Friday night and helped the Sags snap the 17-game win streak of his former team, the Saint John Sea Dogs, with a 4-3 shootout win, that's bigger than any game.

One would have to presume having Beauregard back in the lineup gave Chicoutimi a great emotional lift. He is still awaiting further cancer treatment in the spring after the end of the season and admitted he's a long way from being 100 per cent, as evidenced by the fact he played sparingly (but did have one shot on goal). Yet he played and helped his team get two important points. Along the way, he's imparted plenty to his teammates.

From TVA Sports (translated):

The team rallied behind the 20-year-old after the announcement of the disease. The door in the hallway of the arena was adorned with the number 25, and all his teammates wore his number and his initials on their helmets.

"It's a lesson in determination," said head coach Marc-Etienne Hubert. "I would think that it is a model for players. "

"It's good to see him again," said Jean-Gabriel Pageau. "He is a respected player in the locker room and a good leader." (TVA Sports)

Beauregard, who scored a huge double-overtime goal for Saint John in last spring's President's Cup final, also had a big outpouring of support on Twitter.

Having his return game come against the Sea Dogs is almost too good to be true. Beauregard attended a camp with the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes last year. The health problems, not to be a downer, probably will play into whether he gets a chance somewhere next season. (Last season, Beauregard was about equally valuable to Saint John as Danick Gauthier, who recently signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning and is having a 44-goal season. )But Beauregard's back and that's what counts.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet (image capture: @alyssa8713.