Cancer Survivors Boyle, James Share Special Moment in Nashville

NASHVILLE, TN – Less than two months removed from being in remission of a rare form of cancer, six-year-old Kendall James was honored by the Nashville Predators in a special pre-game ceremonial puck drop last Saturday on Hockey Fights Cancer Night with the New Jersey Devils in town. Predators captain Roman Josi and Devils center Brian Boyle, a cancer survivor himself, joined James at center ice as the sell-out crowd of 17,545 fans gave her a roaring applause.

Predators public address announcer Paul McCann set the stage for the fans by speaking glowingly of the ‘outgoing little girl who always has a smile on her face’ and her year-long journey on her fight against cancer.

“Kendall James pumped up the team and all of Smashville as our Hockey Fights Cancer Night Ambassador and puck dropper before the game,” Nashville Predators Senior Director of Community Relations Rebecca King said. “Her exuberant spirit matches the strength she carries while battling cancer and we are honored to have her as a forever member of the team.”

James had endured 43 weeks of chemo therapy, six weeks of radiation and surgery to remove as much of the tumor and has been in remission of Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma since January 25th of this year thanks to the dedicated team at The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

“It’s pretty inspiring stuff to see her out there and hear about her cancer journey,” Boyle said after a practice during the team’s road trip last week. “I feel for her family and what they’ve had to go through over the last year and then to finally have some good news is great.”

Boyle, of course, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in September 2017 and has been an inspiration himself since his return to the ice in early November.

“The diagnosis at the beginning of the year was a tough blow, but we’ve gotten a hold of that,” recalled Boyle. “I feel really confident with how that’s going and I feel good physically.”

The 12-year NHL veteran has 13 goals and 10 assists this year as he was selected his first All-Star Game as a replacement to teammate Taylor Hall.

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

As he did when the Devils hosted Hockey Fights Cancer Night back on November 24, Boyle scored again in the Devils’ 3-2 shootout win over the Predators, ending their 10-game winning streak. Boyle scored the game-winner in the fifth round of the shootout with a wrist shot from the slot that beat Nashville goalie Juuse Saros.

* Note: The lead photo is courtesy of the New Jersey Devils Twitter.