The New Jersey Devils acquired Boyle, 32, this offseason. During a physical prior to traning camp, team doctors recognized an issue with his blood work. After this, Boyle missed practice due to what was then described as a “personal issue.”
The news then broke Tuesday evening.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is described as being “largely treatable” through medication, and it seems that it in Boyle’s case, doctors caught it early.
In fact, former New York Islander, Jason Blake, was diagnosed with CML in 2007. Blake would return to play six seasons in the NHL after his diagnosis.