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Dave Strader returning to Stars' booth for upcoming homestand

DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 22: Special stickers are worn on the back of the Dallas Stars helmets to honor Dallas Stars play-by-play announcer Dave Strader who is currently locked in a battle with cancer before a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the American Airlines Center on October 22, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

In June 2016, Dave Strader announced he was temporarily stepping away from by broadcast booth for the Dallas Stars to concentrate on his fight against cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile duct.

Strader is currently undergoing treatment in upstate New York. He has a gap in his treatment schedule that aligns with the team’s upcoming homestand. The Stars announced Strader will make his season debut on Saturday and call all five home games.

Daryl “Razor” Reaugh moved from color analyst to play-by-play while Strader receives treatment.

No one was entirely sure if we’d see Strader at all this season.

He updated his status in September stating, “There is no cure for my cancer. However, at this point in time, it is treatable. With advancements in all areas of cancer treatments evolving so quickly, I’m fighting every day and doing everything the doctors tell me.”

On Hockey Fights Cancer Night in October, Strader’s son sang the national anthem while his dad watched from home. Just over a month later, Strader made a surprise appearance in the Stars’ locker room to announce the lineup prior to the game.

Each move forward is one in the right direction for Strader. We wish him all the best and continued success in his treatment. If you’d like to wish Dave well, you can Tweet to him @TheVoiceDS or drop him a note: WellWishesForStrader@dallasstars.com

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter!