Bryan Bickell is officially retiring as a member of the Blackhawks.
Bickell signed a one-day contract with the Blackhawks on Wednesday morning to bring an official end to his decade-long NHL career.
“As any professional athlete will tell you, stepping away from the game is extremely difficult especially given my circumstances,” Bickell said in the announcement. “I’m honored to be retiring a Chicago Blackhawk — a team that has given me and my family so many great memories. I appreciate Rocky Wirtz, John McDonough and Stan Bowman for allowing me this opportunity.”
Bickell, a member of the Carolina Hurricanes last season, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year, announcing the diagnosis in November. He spent much of the 2016-17 campaign on injured reserve as he began receiving treatment. Bickell played four games at the end of the season to wrap up his playing career, scoring a shootout goal in his final game.
Bickell, drafted by the Blackhawks in 2004, was a member of the 2010, 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup teams and played 384 of his 395 career games with the team. He starred during the Blackhawks' 2013 Stanley Cup run, scoring nine goals and recording eight assists in 23 playoff games, most notably scoring the game-tying goal in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins just 17 seconds before Dave Bolland's game-winning, Cup-clinching goal.
“We are thankful to Bryan for his accomplishments on the ice, and we look forward to hearing his voice in raising awareness for multiple sclerosis as he fights the disease,” Bowman said in the announcement.
Watch a live stream of Bickell's press conference starting at 10:30 a.m. right here.