On Tuesday New Jersey Devils forward Brian Boyle told reporters he had been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. It is a bone marrow cancer. It is the same disease that former NHL forward Jason Blake was diagnosed with in 2007. He continued to play after the diagnosis, playing 445 more NHL games after the diagnosis.
Devils forward Brian Boyle has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 19, 2017
New Jersey Devils Brian Boyle Diagnosed with CML
According to Devils team doctor Michael Farber and general manager Ray Shero the disease was detected in Boyle’s routine pre-season blood work. It was caught early and is treatable with medication. Boyle will take a pill to treat the disease.
Boyle, 32,is a 10-year NHL veteran who has tallied 93 goals with 76 assists for 169 points with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is known primarily for his defensive zone and penalty kill ability. He posted 25 points last season while splitting time between Tampa and Toronto.
Boyle signed a two-year, $5.1 million deal with the Devils this off-season. He is optimistic that he will be on the ice for the Devils season opener on October 7th. There is no official timetable for when he will return and he will continue to be monitored by Devils team doctors.
Boyle said, “We have a good plan of attack and I look forward to getting on the ice and playing.” He also said “I don’t like missing games. I feel as close to normal as you can feel.”
Main Photo: TAMPA, FL – MARCH 16: Brian Boyle #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning look for a loose puck during the first period at the Amalie Arena on March 16, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
