Jason Blake knows a thing or two about getting dealt a bad hand.
As the former NHL veteran is battling the exact same form of leukemia - chronic myeloid leukemia - that current player Brian Boyle was recently diagnosed with. Boyle revealed his illness to the media Tuesday, and Wednesday Blake offered his insight and support to the newly-minted New Jersey Devils forward.
Related: Hockey community rallies around Brian Boyle after CML diagnosis
"I remember thinking, ‘God, he’s got a wonderful family.’ That’s going to help him a lot," Blake said of Boyle, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. " … He carries himself with such character, I think he’ll be just fine. I really do."
While Blake - like Boyle - caught his disease early, he recognizes he was lucky, as most people don't have their bodies as closely monitored as hockey players do.
"For us as players, it’s a reminder how fortunate we are that we get to do this. Because we do these blood tests, they catch it early," said Blake. "Often, men don’t start it until north of 45. I was 34. Brian is 32. When I got diagnosed, as much as it sucked … they caught it early. The support system will be excellent.
"The Devils and the NHL will take care of him."
After his diagnosis in 2007, Blake went on to play four more years in the NHL, and despite the battle in front of him, Blake knows that Boyle will come out of this difficult situation stronger than ever.
"I’ve played against him. He’s a tough guy who works hard every shift. His attitude will get him through this. God bless him, I really mean that."
