Devils' Boyle says cancer in remission

Brian Boyle got some great news this week.

The veteran New Jersey Devils forward told NHL.com's Mike Morreale on Wednesday that test results Monday showed his cancer is in remission.

"A test looks for the leukemia cells in your blood and when I was first diagnosed, it was at 75 percent," Boyle said. "At the end of last season, it was at 0.08 percent, and in July I was (at) 0.04 percent. The results showed all zeros on Monday. It's full molecular remission, and I feel really good. It was kind of the way the progression was happening the last few tests. When I told my wife, she was excited and got emotional."

Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in September 2017. He was initially told by doctors that it could take up to 18 months before going into full remission, but it took just over 13 months.

The 33-year-old center missed the start of last season while undergoing treatment and returned at the beginning of November, ultimately playing in 69 regular-season games and then five more in the playoffs.

He's suited up for all six of the Devils' regular-season contests so far in 2018-19.

This past June, Boyle was the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.