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Saku Koivu (born November 23, 1974 in Turku, Finland) is a professional ice hockey player, and plays center for the Montreal Canadiens as the current team captain.

Koivu was made captain of the Canadiens in the 99-00 season and has held the post since. He is the first non-Canadian to ever be the captain of the Canadiens. After six seasons in the NHL, Koivu was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in September 2001 and missed practically the entire 2001-02 NHL season. He made an amazing recovery and was able to return for the playoffs, leading the Canadiens to an unlikely first-round upset of the number one-ranked Boston Bruins. For his courage and off-ice team leadership while undergoing cancer treatment, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy following the 2002 playoffs. He followed up in the 2002-03 NHL season by scoring his career best single-season point total with 71 (21 goals, 50 assists).

The 2005-06 NHL season was Koivu's sixth season as the Canadiens captain. His continued tenure seems to have ended a supposed curse of Habs captains. During a ten-year span from 1989 to 1999, six captains were traded away.

On April 26, 2006, during a home playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Koivu sustained a serious injury in his left eye. Hurricanes forward Justin Williams tried to lift Koivu's stick and struck him in the eye, under the protective visor. Koivu was rushed to the hospital where he would remain overnight. Without Koivu, the Montreal Canadiens went on to lose the series and their chances at a Stanley Cup championship.

As of the end of the 2006 pre-season, Koivu's eye has had a minimal effect on his ability as a player. While a small cataract had developed - which will be removed in the off-season - Koivu's play has demonstrated that he can still complement linemates Chris Higgins and Michael Ryder with no trouble.

Koivu battled stomach cancer. He returned and was greeted with an inspirational standing ovation. He displayed a lot of courage and was encouraged by teammates and fans.

Koivu has represented Team Finland on several occasions and is the national team's captain. Most recently, he won a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and bronze medals at the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics. He was also on the 2004 World Cup team, which advanced to the final but lost against Canada, thereby winning the silver medal.

Koivu's most renowned achievement with Team Finland is as first line center in the 1995 IIHF World Championships, where Finland won its only IIHF men's gold medal to date. Koivu played in the first line with Jere Lehtinen and Ville Peltonen (the "Huey, Dewey, and Louie" line [4]), who were all selected as tournament all-stars.

On February 23, 2006, Koivu was elected by his fellow Olympic competitors as a member of the Athletes' Commission of the IOC.