University of Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh was listed in stable condition after undergoing surgery Friday in Boston to remove a cancerous kidney, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Walsh’s surgegon told WCSH-TV that the surgery went well.

Urologist Genero Carpinito told the station that Walsh’s surgery had spread to the lymph nodes under his breastbone.

The 45-year-old Walsh said Thursday night that the recovery period is “two to three weeks” and the next step will probably be a trip to UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center in California for a 20-day immunal therapy treatment session.

“It’s probable but we’ll see,” said Walsh.

Walsh said Thursday the immunal therapy involves injecting healthy cells into cancerous areas in hopes they will eradicate the cancerous cells.

Walsh’s chances for survival will be enhanced by his positive attitude and the support he has received not only from his family, but from friends within the coaching community.

“The support has been heartwarming and I am appreciative of it,” said Walsh, who just completed his 16th season at Maine. “The hockey community is a fraternity. I’ve heard from a lot of people who are involved in hockey.”

He has compiled a record of 379-203-37 and led the Black Bears to two national championships, 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, seven Frozen Four trips, three NCAA championship games, 10 Hockey East tournament finals, four Hockey East tourney titles and three HE regular-season championships.

He is a four-time Hockey East coach of the year and won the Spencer T. Penrose trophy given to the nation’s Division I coach of the year in 1995.

“This is awful news. Our prayers are with him,” said New Hampshire coach Dick Umile, who overcame a heart attack a few years ago to return to coaching. He called Walsh earlier this week to wish him luck.

Umile said Walsh’s competitive nature will benefit him.

“He’s a battler whether its golf or cards or coaching a game against UNH,” said Umile. “He’ll overcome this.”

Michigan State coach Ron Mason, Walsh’s former father-in-law, coach and mentor, said he was “completely shocked” by the news.

“It has stayed with me ever since I heard. We’re all sick about it,” said Mason, who hired Walsh as an assistant coach at Bowling Green and Michigan State.

“Shawn is in the biggest game of his life right now. But everybody knows about his will to win. It’s a difficult situation but if anyone can beat this, Shawn can. I’m firmly convinced of that. There’s nobody who doesn’t think he can beat it,” said Mason. “He’ll have a tremendous amount of support.”

Mason said the hockey fraternity isn’t a big one so everybody knows everybody else well “and we’re all close, especially in times like this.”

Walsh said Thursday he expects to continue to run the hockey operations and feels coaching will be therapeutic because, “I love coaching at Maine.”

Defenseman Doug Janik, who will be a junior co-captain in the fall, wasn’t surprised by Walsh’s desire to stay involved as much as possible.

“I think that’s the best way for him to handle things. Coaching comes naturally to him. It’s his normal way of life and keeping a normal routine will keep him positive and motivated,” said Janik. “As a team, we’re going to try to support him as much as we can like he has always supported us.”

Janik said Walsh’s sometimes-fiery demeanor is misleading.

“No matter how he comes across, he genuinely cares about everyone’s well-being and has everybody’s best interest at heart,” said Janik.

Congressman John Baldacci said Walsh “has always been there for us, the kids at UMaine and the state of Maine and now we need to be there to help him and his family through our support.”

MaineBeat.com has developed a special message board for “Get Well” messages for Walsh and it is open to everybody. The site can be accessed by going to MaineBeat.com and clicking “Message Boards.”

Due to the nature of the board, first and last names will be required with each post. Screenames and nicknames won’t be allowed and the board will be open for an indefinite period of time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.