Watch: Bryan Bickell in tears following 1st home game since MS diagnosis
[WATCH] An emotional Bryan Bickell spoke with the media following his first game back in Raleigh Thursday night: pic.twitter.com/mo2yP0vjtX
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 7, 2017
Hurricanes winger Bryan Bickell spoke with the media Thursday after his first home game since Oct. 30, 2016. Bickell, of course, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on Nov. 11, 2016.
MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Bickell dealt with unexplained pain in his leg and shoulder before being diagnosed with the condition last fall.
The Hurricanes players showed support for their teammate by participating at 2017 Walk MS on Saturday. The players were sporting T-shirts that read "Bickell Brave."
.@bbicks29 Every member of the team is wearing one these #BickellBrave shirts with 29 on the back. #WalkMS pic.twitter.com/ih1y8yrEZc
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 8, 2017
Bickell is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks. Though players such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith are the faces of the Blackhawks' dynasty, Bickell was certainly an integral part as a bottom-six forward, scoring 10-plus goals in three different seasons, including a career-high 17 in 2010-11.
No matter where allegiances lie, Bickell is certainly someone every hockey fan can rally behind.