Nashville Predators Assistant Coach Peter Horachek underwent successful prostate cancer surgery earlier this week. The initial post-surgery prognosis is positive, however he will miss this weekend’s game at the Detroit Red Wings. Horachek is hoping to re-join the team soon.

“I am very appreciative of the the coaching staff and players while I work through this difficult time,” Horachek said, “in addition to friends, family, management and the rest of the organization's support.”

Horachek’s announcement comes in the middle of Hockey Fights Cancer month, a time when the Nashville Predators organization and the entire National Hockey League and NHL Players Association unite to raise money and awareness for those affected by cancer and for research to help eliminate cancer. On October 21 the Predators hosted Hockey Fights Cancer Night, raising more than $50,000 through ticket sales and special in-arena auctions.

For the second consecutive season the Predators players will also be participating in a Movember campaign. They will grow moustaches as part of a global effort to use moustaches to bring attention to prostate cancer awareness; the idea behind it being new moustaches bring questions, which can be used to promote the cause.

Click here to join Nashville Predators and the NHL in their fight against cancer