MONTREAL -- The abdominal cancer that forced Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu to miss most of last season is in remission.

A battery of tests were done at several locations, including the hospital in Sherbrooke where it was determined that Koivu was clean of cancer after eight cycles of aggressive chemotherapy.

Koivu, 27, requested the tests to have added assurance that his recovery was proceeding on schedule.

The center will begin training camp with the Canadiens on Thursday. Koivu was lost to the team last season for all but the final three regular-season games and the playoffs.