Henderson Silver Knights defenseman Mason Geertsen shared information about his cancer diagnosis and mentioned that his cancer is in remission.
On Friday, the 29-year-old released a statement revealing he has B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after a scan of his leg revealed he had cancer back in November of last year.
Geertsen mentioned that he underwent treatment immediately and missed a month of the season before returning. His treatment continued through the end of the summer and he is grateful to say that his cancer is now in remission.
“I chose to keep my diagnosis private and was able to persevere through the worst of it with the support of my wife, family, teammates, doctors, and the Golden Knights organization,” Geertsen said. “Now that I’m on the other side of this journey, I feel it’s incredibly important to share my story and encourage everyone to be their own best health advocate.”
The Henderson Silver Knights are hosting their annual Hockey Fights Cancer this coming Saturday, and Geertsen pointed out that now was the best time to reveal his story.
“I think it’s the perfect moment to remind everyone to schedule their annual well checks, get tested, and speak up if something feels off. My cancer was caught during an unrelated doctor’s visit, and I’m fortunate that it was. One year later, I’m able to continue pursuing a career as a professional hockey player, while feeling confident in my health, all because we caught it early.
“It’s so easy to put off scheduling an appointment but trust me when I say prioritizing your own wellness is something that is worth the time and effort. It has been for me. And to those currently battling, know that you are not in this fight alone. I know what you’re going through, I’m here for you, and I support you.”
Geertsen is in his second season with the organization after spending seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. Geertsen hasn’t made his Golden Knights debut yet but has 25 games of NHL experience which came with the Devils in the 2021-22 season.
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