Devils forward Brian Boyle named Masterton Trophy Finalist

NEW YORK, NY -- New Jersey Devils center Brian Boyle, who has courageously battled cancer this year while playing in his 12th season in the NHL has been named one of the three finalists for the 2017-18 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the league announced on Saturday afternoon. For each of the last 50 years, the trophy has been awarded to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." The announcement came just hours before the team's first-round playoff series Game 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning in which is a do-or-die game for the Devils.

Despite being diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in training camp in September, Boyle received treatment for the bone marrow cancer he was suffering from and made his ceremonious return to the team on November 1. He scored 10 goals over his first 25 games, including his emotional goal on Hockey Fights Cancer Night in the team's 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Boyle's play in the first-half of the season earned him a selection to his first-ever NHL All-Star Game.

"The diagnosis at the beginning of the year was a tough blow, but we've gotten a hold of that," Boyle said on the team's road trip in March. "I feel really confident with how that's going and I feel good physically."

Boyle has been a voice of inspiration for cancer survivors across the country. In March, he participated in the Nashville Predators' ceremonial pre-game puck drop on their Hockey Fights Cancer Night with six-year-old cancer survivor Kendall James, who is currently in remission from a rare form of cancer.

"The support I've had in here and the support I've had from my wife has allowed us to persevere," Boyle explained last month. "We've leaned on each other. It's been very difficult and very rewarding, but it remains a challenge."

Devils left-winger Taylor Hall, who is expected to be named a finalist for the Hart Trophy -- the award for league's most valuable player -- had nothing but praise for Boyle after the team's 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Hockey Fights Cancer Night in November.

"He's been an inspiration to us all year," Hall said of his teammate earlier this year. "After what he's been through and his family has been through, it was cool to see him playing well and enjoying himself here. It puts a lot of things into perspective for us as players."

The local chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) submitted nominations for the Masterton Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season and the top three vote-getters were designated as finalists.

The other two finalists for the Masterton Trophy are Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers and forward Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2018 NHL Awards™ presented by Hulu at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Lead photo courtesy of @NJDevils Twitter