Rangers sign 15-year-old cancer survivor to 1-day contract

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The New York Rangers signed a teenage cancer survivor to a 1-day contract Monday, making a dream come true for a youngster who has made hockey his life.

Fifteen-year-old Chris Falzone was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and told he would never play hockey again. And when the Blue Shirts hit the ice at Madison Square Garden, so too will Falzone.

It's not every day that a teenage hockey player scores on one of the NHL's biggest stars, but Falzone, a defenseman, did just that last week. At the Ranger's MSG Training Center in Westchester, he got the chance to take to the ice with Henrik Lundqvist and crew.

"I've been here many times, but never this close," Falzone said. "Really, it's amazing."

On Monday, Chris and his family were at Madison Square Garden as guests of the Garden of Dreams Foundation because of the talented teen's even bigger score: beating bone cancer.

It is a feat accomplished, he and his family say, because of his love of hockey.

"It's everything in my life," he said. "Hockey kept me going."

"Hockey saved his life, and the Rangers were an inspiration with him, and it helped him get through this," said his mother, Maria Falzone.

Garden of Dreams negotiated the contract, which will allow Chris to suit up when the Rangers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ranger legend Adam Graves says it's the young hockey player's own character and determination that got him to this point.

"Certainly to see him healthy it doesn't get any better than that," said former Ranger Adam Graves.

But after seven months of chemotherapy followed by intense physical therapy, Chris is back on skates, and he and his family living are their own miracle on ice.