During the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, former Blackhawk Bryan Bickell wasn't feeling right. At first, doctors thought it was vertigo.
Then as symptoms persisted, Bickell was diagnosed with an ocular issue. But in the last few weeks, Bickell was feeling sick again _ and this time the diagnosis was more serious.
Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, according to a release from his current team, the Hurricanes. After taking some time off to rest and seek treatment, Bickell said he plans to return to the ice.
"Since the 2015 playoffs, I've been struggling to understand what was going on with my body," Bickell said in a statement. "Again during the past few weeks, it felt like something wasn't right.
"Obviously this is a bit of a shock for my family and me, but I am hopeful I will be able to return to the ice and continue playing the game that I love."
Bickell declined comment when reached by the Tribune. The Hawks traded Bickell this offseason along with Teuvo Teravainen for a pair of draft picks. He has 66 goals in 391 career NHL games and has one in seven games with the Hurricanes this season.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
Former Wild goaltender Josh Harding tried to continue playing with MS after being diagnosed in November 2012. Harding played in the playoffs against the Hawks later that season but played in just 29 games the next season before officially retiring after the 2015 season because of complication brought on by the disease.
"First and foremost, the most important thing is for Bryan to take care of himself and our thoughts are with him and his family," Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. "He will need to take some rest in the immediate future, and we will support him as he takes the necessary steps for his health. We ask that his privacy be respected during this process."
