Awesome: NHL Cancer Survivor Nets First Hat Trick on 'Hockey Fights Cancer Night'
Some moments in sports are just perfect. Monday night in Pittsburgh was one of those occasions.
The game between the Penguins and the New Jersey Devils was on Hockey Fights Cancer Night, an annual program the NHL first introduced in 1998. It encouraging fans, players, and the hockey community at-large to support cancer patients and their families through donations and other means. Each team in the NHL hosts its own Hockey Fights Cancer Night in the month of November.
The game in Pittsburgh took on special significance for one member of the New Jersey Devils.
Brian Boyle, 33, is a cancer survivor. In September 2017, Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. He missed the first part of the season while undergoing treatment, but returned and helped the Devils reach the playoffs.
Just over a week ago, Boyle announced that his cancer was in remission. And Monday, he celebrated the good news with his first career hat trick — on Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
Perfect.
He’s such a natural, isn’t he?
Congratulations on your first career hat trick, @BriBrows22! #HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/rZCsxzhFeR
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 6, 2018
And the Devils won 5-1.
I love these nights, I really do,” Boyle said after the game. “Just the initiative (Hockey Fights Cancer) and seeing the survivors on the ice and being recognized.”
“Sometimes you feel kind of alone and it can be a dark place at times during the cancer fight, and its difficult,” Boyle said. “But to be seen, and people get to stand up who are fighting it, and the support that everyone shows, and the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, and the money raised … it’s just a phenomenal thing that the league and the (NHL Players Association) does.”
“I love these nights. I really do. Just the initiative & seeing the survivors on ice. Sometimes you feel kind of alone & quiet. At times, during the cancer fight it’s difficult.” –@BriBrows22 on how much #HockeyFightsCancer night means to him pic.twitter.com/RlA12yEE5V
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 6, 2018
Boyle’s wife Lauren is the NHL’s 2018-19 ambassador for the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.
Lauren Boyle, wife of @BriBrows22, is the #HockeyFightsCancer Ambassador for 2018. We’re always #BoyleStrong. pic.twitter.com/Qa9bh1bWLb
— NHL (@NHL) November 1, 2018
Boyle added that he hopes he can inspire others in the fight against cancer.
“I hope so. You feel alone sometimes so if you have to, you reach out. You go through experiences, there’s ups and downs, just like life,” he said.
“Even if you are a relative of someone who’s fighting, you need to know how to approach it … The worst part of it is people feeling sorry for you … they didn’t know what to say. You want them to feel comfortable.”
#HockeyFightsCancer? pic.twitter.com/ViATcfMOhu
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 6, 2018
“It’s important just to ask questions and reach out if you need help,” said Boyle. “People generally do a pretty good job of uplifting people. I was fortunate enough to be uplifted by all the people here and my family. It sucks, but there are enough good people in the world to lift you up.”
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