Former Blackhawks forward Bickell diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

Former Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, according to Carolina Hurricanes Executive Vice President and General Manger Ron Francis.

"Since the 2015 playoffs, I've been struggling to understand what was going on with my body," Bickell said in a story posted on NHL.com. "Again during the past few weeks, it felt like something wasn't right.

"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."

Bickell later posted on his Twitter account: "Thanks 2 all the fans for the prayers & wishes. It's all new 2 me & my family but seeing all the support from u guys makes it easier for us."

Bickell, along with Teuvo Teravainen, was traded to Carolina on June 15. He scored 1 goal in seven games for the Hurricanes.

"As close as we all are to Bicks, our hearts go out to him and (we) wish him the best health possible," Jonathan Toews said. "Obviously hopefully he can hang in there and find ways to stay strong despite his condition.

"It's probably kind of crazy for him. I'm sure he's got a lot of people reaching out to him. But I"m sure all the guys in this locker room … that are good friends with him will reach out and send a message and offer their help or their support in any way.

"Pretty shocking, but we're all thinking about him right now."

"Our thoughts are with Bryan, his family and the Carolina Hurricanes during this challenging time," said Blackhawks President and CEO John McDonough in a statement. "He has built so many lasting relationships in Chicago both inside and outside of the Blackhawks organization based on his play on the ice and character off of it. Together we will keep him in our thoughts during his fight against the disease."

During Game 7 of the 2015 Western Conference finals and then again early last season, Bickell was having vision problems to the point that it was difficult for him to follow pucks. When we talked with him in February while he was playing in Rockford, Bickell said the issue had resolved itself.

"I'm happy it's gone," he said. "It was kind of frustrating."

Bickell played in seven of Carolina's first eight games but his last action game was on Oct. 30.

Francis said the 30-year-old will take some time to rest. Multiple sclerosis attacks the nervous system.

Former Minnesota goalie Josh Harding was diagnosed with MS in 2012. Harding kept playing, but his last game came on Dec. 31, 2013 when he was just 29 years old. I

/n a story published in the Regina Leader-Post on Nov. 13, 2015, Harding said: "Trying to play hockey (with MS), I had to admit it was challenging in many ways. It affected all aspects of my life.

"I would still love to be playing and I still think I have the talent to be playing but it's one of those things where the doctor said, 'No more.' It definitely made me realize I had a lot more important things in life than hockey."

The Hawks took Bickell in the second round of the 2004 draft, and he scored 65 goals for them in 384 regular-season games. Bickell's most memorable goal was the one that tied Game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final with 1:16 remaining. Seventeen seconds later, Dave Bolland scored again and the Hawks claimed their second Cup in four seasons.