Mikita’s prognosis ‘excellent’

Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita has been diagnosed with Stage 1 oral cancer, his family announced Tuesday.

The prognosis for the 71-year-old Mikita is excellent, according to his doctor. The cancer is not believed to be life threatening.

“Stan has been diagnosed with an early base of tongue cancer and the prognosis is excellent,” Dr. Richard Borrowdale of Loyola Medical Center said in a statement released by the Hawks. “He will be treated with external beam radiation therapy.”

There will be no further statements from Dr. Borrowdale or the Mikita family.

Mikita, the Hawks’ all-time leading scorer with 1,467 points, a two-time Hart Trophy winner and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presently serves as a Blackhawks ambassador.

The Hawks will unveil a statue of Mikita and Bobby Hull outside the United Center at some point during the 2011-12 season.