This past Thursday, the hockey world was elated after Brian Boyle scored his first goal since his cancer diagnosis. The 32-year-old was forced to miss the first part of the season after he announced on September 19, 2017 that he had been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, a form of blood and bone marrow cancer. After the goal, Boyle gave sports fans all the feels.
The Hingham, Massachusetts native joined a list of NHL heroes who were able to conquer their illness and get back on the NHL playing surface. Here are four other notable NHLers who were forced to take time away from the game, but ultimately made a return.
MARIO LEMIEUX
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One of the greatest players the game has ever seen, Super Mario was tearing up the show in the 1992-93 season until he was diagnosed with Hodgikin’s lymphoma, an announcement he would ultimately make on January 12, 1993. Lemieux eventually earned his strength back and on the day of his last radiation treatment he flew to Philadelphia where recorded a goal and an assist in a 5-4 loss to the Flyers. Mario would go on to play eight more season in the NHL and finish with 1,723 points in 915 games. The longtime Penguins captain was a true leader.
PHIL KESSEL
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Building his legacy as another Penguins great, Phil’s testicular cancer diagnosis came far before his time with the team. Kessel was just 20 years old when he found out the news, but managed to make a quick recovery and work his way back into the NHL with the Boston Bruins. Since, he’s established himself as one of the world’s sharpest shooters and has added two fancy pieces of bling to his jewelry box.
SAKU KOIVU
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Koivu served as the face of the Montreal Canadiens during the majority of his career after he was selected by the team with the 21st overall pick in the 1993 NHL draft. In 2001, the loveable Finn was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Koivu was expected to miss the entire campaign but returned for one of the Canadiens’ final regular season contests on April 9, 2002. He was given an eight minute standing ovation upon return.
JOHN CULLEN
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John Cullen had a solid NHL career, but faced his share of adversity along the way. In 1997, doctors discovered a baseball-sized tumor in his chest. The cancer diagnosis was determined to be non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After a long road to recovery, Cullen went into cardiac arrest at one point and was revived with a defibrillator by doctors. He eventually battled his way back and managed to play four games with the Tampa Bay Lightning before retiring in 1988.
Each of these players demonstrated tremendous fight and were all named Bill Masterson trophy winners at one point; a trophy awarded to the player who best exemplifies qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Them, Boyle, and other athletes who have had to fight disease during their career are all the true warriors in sports.
