Former Blackhawk Bryan Bickell Retiring
On Saturday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced former Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Bickell, 31, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November. He will skate in the last game of his career on Saturday night when the Canes host St. Louis.
We heard you! All proceeds from #BickellBrave shirts to the Bryan & Amanda Bickell Foundation's new MS initiative. https://t.co/ilZIFuKWXj pic.twitter.com/IVlxOHLCLE
— Mike Sundheim (@MikeSundheim) April 8, 2017
Earlier on Saturday, Bickell was surprised by his Carolina teammates.
[WATCH] @bbicks29 made plans to participate in this morning’s #WalkMS, but he didn’t expect his teammates to all show up. #BickellBrave pic.twitter.com/zy2emeM9nZ
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 8, 2017
Bring Bryan back to the UC and he will hear the biggest ROAR!!!
Godspeed Bryan!
He’s had a tough break with the diagnosis, but he’s achieved things no one can ever take from him. He’s also provided moments of excitement for us Blackhawks fans that we’ll never forget. Wishes for the best of health and happiness always to Bryan Bickell.
A sad but uplifting saga. While his career as a player may be over, he will be remembered for being an important contributor to the Hawks. His play in the series against the Bruins where the Hawks won their 2nd Cup was special. We all know how much Q and his team mates loved Bryan. It was hilarious when Q affectionately nicknamed Bickell, “Picklehead”. Most importantly Bicks will be remembered as person of strong character and a classy guy. One can only wish him well in the future with whatever direction he chooses to take.
I just remember everyone getting on Bickle and complaining after his last cup run about how he had gotten his big pay day and then checked out. Guess there was a little more to it than that. A lot of people probably feel (and should) like real assholes about now..
He ends his career by scoring a shootout goal. :)