Alaska-Fairbanks sophomore forward Aaron Voros has returned home to Vancouver after he was diagnosed with a bone tumor in his leg.
According to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Voros will soon have a biopsy to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
“It’s a shocker. My knee had been bothering me, but we thought it was a ligament; then I felt a lump,” Voros said to the Daily News-Miner. “There are still a lot of tests to be done. Everything has escalated so fast, from a checkup on the knee, to having an X-ray, an MRI, a bone scan and then a biopsy.”
Voros is not sure how quickly the biopsy can take place.
“We are looking at options,” Voros said to the newspaper. “I’m hoping we can fast track, but that might cost money. Money is not an issue though, we have friends of the family that will help out. I just want to get the best treatment I can and hopefully get it taken care of. Right now I have as many questions as anyone.”
UAF coach Guy Gadowsky met with the rest of the team Tuesday to break the news.
“It was just shock, concern,” Gadowsky told the newspaper. “No one is thinking about hockey right now. The only one who was caring about the season was Aaron. Before he left he told me to tell the team ‘hi’ and to start winning in Omaha.”
Voros is an eighth-round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2001. As a freshmen, the 6-foot-4, 195-pounded led UAF with 18 goals and was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.
In eight games this season, Voros has one goal and three assists.