Ron Lapointe, former Quebec Nordiques coach, has...

Ron Lapointe, former Quebec Nordiques coach, has been removed from the intensive-care ward after surgery Dec. 21 to remove a cancerous kidney.

Lapointe, 39, who resigned after his ailment was discovered during a series of tests, will remain in a Montreal hospital for at least 3 more weeks. He took a few feeble steps Tuesday, his first since the 6-hour operation.

After the surgery, team physician Dr. Pierre Beauchemin announced that doctors performing the operation were confident the cancer had not spread beyond the kidney.