5 New Jersey Devils Players Who Could Win Awards This Season

5 New Jersey Devils Players Who Could Win Awards

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 21: New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) celebrates with teammates during the second period of the NHL preseason game between the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens on September 21, 2017, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. Brian Boyle: Bill Masterton Trophy

The Bill Masterton Trophy goes to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. Brian Boyle is battling cancer and still working hard to play for his new team.

Boyle was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia right before training camp began. He made the emphatic statement that he would make it to Opening Night, despite being diagnosed so late in the offseason.

While it’s unlikely he will be able to back up that proclamation, it shows the qualities the NHL will look for in this award winner. A player who was diagnosed with a deadly disease (luckily, his prognosis was good), then goes and says he wants to play with his teammates to open the season. Honestly, who else in the entire league could win this award? Is there any other player in the NHL who is showing more of a dedication to hockey than the guy fighting cancer in his off time?

This is probably the most likely award the Devils can win. Boyle is a hero for what he is doing this season, and he’s shown the kind of player and person he is with his attitude throughout this process.

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