There are few pieces of news around the NHL that are universally celebrated, but today we were given one of them. Brian Boyle today told Mike Morreale of NHL.com that his cancer—chronic myeloid leukemia—is now in “full molecular remission.” Boyle was diagnosed just over a year ago with the disease, but returned to game action on November 1st, 2017 and played 69 games with the New Jersey Devils.
Boyle, 33, is one of the most well liked players in the entire league and had the full support of the Devils and his teammates as he battled the diagnosis. He became an ambassador for the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, and eventually won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy given to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship. Boyle is not a huge offensive presence (despite his 6’6″ stature) but has been a key bottom-six forward for several teams throughout his career, and has played in 111 career playoff games.
This season, the big center is off to a great start with three goals and four points in his first six games, giving the Devils great depth down the middle and a force on the penalty kill. He’ll still need to take medication and work with doctors to make sure his cancer does not resurface down the road, but is on the way to a full recovery. Everyone here at PHR wishes Boyle and his family the best and congratulates them on the news.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
So happy for BB! Loved him in his time with the Rangers and glad to see him have success with other teams and always able to find a place to play. #FuckCancer
Hope that Boyle keeps up with his doctor’s recommendations makes sure he gets every checkup, bloodtest, scan that he should. Cancer may be in remission today yet tomorrow rear it’s very ugly head again. I have a family member that has been fighting a different form of cancer for 2 years now. I agree with @acarneglia: #FuckCancer. Saw that on a bumper sticker about a year ago. Has been my favorite bumper sticker ever since.
Also props to Gavin and NHLTR for not deleting these posts due to the hashtags.
Great to hear. Hopeful for a successful, cancer free life from here on out. #FuckCancer
The kind of news that brings ranger, Devil, and Islander fans together….go get ’em, Boyler!
Hey y’all, i am just finishing up with chemo for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I was hit with an additional 4k bill on top of my 11k deductible I’ve mostly paid. If anyone has the means to donate to my gofundme.com/brandonasleson, I’d greatly appreciate it. Anything helps. #fcancer
Glad for Brian Boyle, even if HE HAS BEEN a goon at times on the ice, lol. Solid story outside of hockey. Ultimately, he’s a MA guy and has had a solid NHL career production wise, good luck moving forward to him.