Chris Rotolo

@rote7123

In his darkest hour, the New York Rangers signed Chris Falzone to a one-day contract.

Three years later, the Blue Shirts and the Garden of Dreams Foundation let the Middletown South senior defenseman know that he was still part of the family.

“When it comes to the New York Rangers and the Garden of Dreams Foundation, once you’re part of it, you’re part of the family forever,” Rangers Stanley Cup Champion and Garden of Dreams Board Member Adam Graves said in a recent telephone interview.

“As a former player with the Rangers and having worked with the Foundation during my playing career and after it, I’ve gotten to experience that first hand. And when I talked to Chris (Falzone) on the phone the other day, it was my honor to let him know that he’s still part of the organization too…He’s still part of our family.”

Hockey: Mikey Nichols, Boomer & Carton bring benefit game to Prudential Center

The phone call Graves referenced was one that sent a wave of jubilation through the Falzone household, as the former NHL all-star unveiled that Chris – who will be attending Monmouth University in the fall – would be receiving a $25,000 scholarship on behalf of the Garden of the Dreams Foundation, and that said subsidy would be renewable for all four years of his schooling at the West Long Branch institute.

“It was a great privilege to speak to Chris about the next biggest four years of his life,” Graves said. “And to be able to be part of his college experience through the Garden of Dreams, to be able to support his journey, it’s just an honor and a privilege.”

Though Graves’ phone call and a generous scholarship filled the Falzone family’s home and hearts with happiness, it wasn't long ago that Chris was in contact with Rangers under different circumstances, and those tears were brought about by uncertainty, rather than a joyous surprise.

“It was scary, and it was stressful because we weren’t sure,” said Tony Falzone of a 2013 diagnosis that revealed his son, then a 14-year old freshman at Middletown High School South, had Non Hodgkins Mature B Cell Lymphoma.

This form of bone cancer had appeared in Falzone’s hip, and at first doctors communicated that not only chemotherapy, but a full hip replacement, would be needed to overcome the affliction…essentially ending the blue liner’s scholastic career before it even began.

Hockey: Point Boro's Alex Depalma steps down after 6 seasons with Panthers

“The only thing I kept asking the doctors was when I was going to be able to play again,” Falzone said in a conversation this past March, in the midst of a Middletown South state playoff run that saw the Eagles land a Public B state semifinals berth.

“They kept telling me that I wouldn’t be able to play again. But I never really accepted that,” added Falzone, who came up in the local travel ranks with the Red Bank Generals, a program her captained to an 18U Can/Am Games Gold Medal in October. “I would have my bad days, but I had my parents by my side. I had the Rangers games on TV. I had my teammates, friends and coaches there to support me every step of the way. All of that really kept me motivated to get healthy and get back out on the ice.”

Falzone’s first on-ice action following his diagnosis came in December of 2014, when – with the help of the Make a Wish Foundation – he attended a New York Rangers open try out and was immediately signed by the organization to that aforementioned one-day contract, allowing him to partake in a pre-game skate with the Blue Shirts prior to a regular season meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins (Dec. 9)…and even resulted in the local teen earning the Broadway Hat (the Rangers nightly post-game honor awarded to the most outstanding skater).

“It was an incredible moment in my life. It’s something I’ll never forget, and I can’t thank the Rangers organization enough for letting me be part of their family that night.”

However, the experience certainly wouldn’t be Falzone’s last time lacing up the skates.

Following extensive sessions of chemo and physical therapy, Falzone not only made a full recovery, but also returned to the ice with Middletown South for his junior year, earning a prominent role in the defensive end, as well as the Comeback Player of the Year Award at the Asbury Park Press' inaugural Jersey Shore Sports Awards show.

“I’m just very proud of him, and I want him to know that. I want him to know that he’s my hero,” Tony Falzone said with a tear in his eye this past March. “When grown adults get news like that, when they find out they have cancer, it can devastate them. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for him at 14-years old. But he faced it every day. He faced it head on with bravery. It was incredible, and I’m so proud of him.”

“I’m proud to know him, and I’m proud to know his family,” said Graves, sharing a similar sentiment. “I’ve said this many times in my life. I love the game of hockey. It’s been such a big part of my life. But what I love more than hockey is the people you get to meet through it. Getting the chance to meet Chris; to watch him grow and develop into the gentleman he’s become; someone courageous, someone of character. He has all the qualities we all want in our own children. He's an inspiration to us all, and when the time came to reach out to someone about this scholarship, I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.”

Meet the 2016-17 All-Shore Ice Hockey Team

The opening scenes of his life depict tales of great obstacles, fearlessness, incredible support and a triumphant conclusion to the first act, but Falzone understands his most troubling trial is far from an isolated incident.

“I’m not the first kid to go through something like this, and I won’t be the last,” Falzone said. “I don’t mind talking about what I went through, because my hope is that my situation can inspire others going through the same thing. I hope they’ll read about it and realize that cancer doesn’t have to be the end of the world. It can be beaten. You can get through it and reach your goals. If I can do it so can they.”