Carolina Hurricanes Forward Bryan Bickell Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Friday that winger Bryan Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Bickell, a Bowmanville, Ontario, native who turned 30 years old in March, has spent ten seasons in the NHL and was a key part of the Chicago Blackhawks dynasty that won three Stanley Cups before he was traded to Carolina this offseason. The news came as a surprise to Bickell and his family, and the winger—who has been experiencing symptoms since 2015—is expected to take time off to rest and consider his treatment options before returning to hockey.

"Since the 2015 playoffs, I've been struggling to understand what was going on with my body. Again during the past few weeks, it felt like something wasn't right," Bickell said. "Obviously this is a bit of 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."

It was believed for a long time that Bickell was suffering from vertigo.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society website explains the illness like this:

"An unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body."

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be physical, mental, and psychiatric, and vary from person to person depending on the severity of the disease. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, vision problems, trouble with sensation, trouble with coordination, and emotional changes including depression.

"First and foremost, the most important thing is for Bryan to take care of himself," Hurricanes GM Ron Francais said. "Our thoughts are with him and his family. He will need to take some time to rest in the immediate future, and we will support him as he takes the necessary steps for his health."

Bickell was drafted by the Blackhawks 41st overall in the 2004 NHL Draft. In his ten-season career, the forward has won three Stanley Cups and scored 66 goals and 70 assists in 391 career regular-season games with the Blackhawks and Hurricanes.

We will never forget some of the game-winning goals Bickell scored as a member of those Blackhawks teams, including that time he tied the game with less than two minutes remaining against Boston before the Blackhawks completed the comeback and won the Cup in 2013.

We wish Bickell and his family the best and hope for a safe return to the ice soon