Oilers prospect diagnosed with testicular cancer

This month means Movember for hockey players as they grow mustaches to raise money and awareness of men's health issues.

On the first day, they received a stark reminder of the reason for the cause with news that Edmonton Oilers prospect Brandon Davidson has testicular cancer.

The 21-year-old Oklahoma City Barons rookie defenseman will receive treatment immediately, the team said.

The disease is highly curable if caught early. Toronto Maple Leafs center Phil Kessel missed only 12 games while being treated during his NHL rookie season in 2006-07.

"He's a strong kid," Barons coach Todd Nelson said about Davidson on the Oilers' website. "He's a fighter, he has a great demeanor about himself and you know what, he's going to overcome this."

His cause was embraced by the Movember crowd. Minnesota Wild forward Devin Setoguchi tweeted that he planned to skip growing a mustache this year but was now doing so because of Davidson, like him a native of Taber, Alberta.

Last season, Movember was quite noticeable because Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby, Claude Giroux, Shea Weber, coach Dan Bylsma and others rocked staches on the ice.

With players locked out and spread across North America and Europe, that will make the cause less visible.

Instead, there will be an Internet battle between a team led by Florida Panthers tough guy George Parros, who has the league's most famous mustache, and one led by Maple Leafs forward Mike Brown, who grew a scary beard to prepare for the month. Both now are clean-shaven and starting from scratch.

The Barons announced Friday that players and staff members would attempt to grow mustaches for Movember.

Tweeted Davidson: "Thanks to all my family, friends, fans, and everyone for all the love and support. It goes a long way. I appreciate everyone who has reached out and given me the support. I will be back and I will battle through this."