Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the team revealed Friday afternoon.The 30-year-old was acquired by Carolina from the Chicago Blackhawks in the offseason, and he had appeared in seven of Carolinas 13 games this season, scoring once while averaging 9:42 in ice time per game.Since the 2015 playoffs, Ive been struggling to understand what was going on with my body, Bickell said via a statement released by the team Friday afternoon.Again during the past few weeks, it felt like something wasnt right, Bickell added. 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.Hurricanes general manager?Ron Francis asked for Bickells privacy to be respected.First and foremost, the most important thing is for Bryan to take care of himself, and our thoughts are with him and his family, Francis said in the same statement. 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. We ask that his privacy be respected during the process.Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough released the following statement on Bickell:Our thoughts are with Bryan, his family and the Carolina Hurricanes during this challenging time. 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.Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville also addressed the news, saying, Hes a special guy. Were thinking about him, and our thoughts and prayers are with him. Its tough to hear something like that. He has a tough road ahead. He was special for us and instrumental in us having a lot of success here. We wish him well.Bickell was part of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Chicago.Its pretty shocking. What can you say? Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. I think everyone in this room, in this organization, as close as we all are to Bicks, our hearts go out to him. We wish him the best health possible. Hopefully he can hang in there and find ways to stay strong despite his condition.Bickell is the second NHL player in recent years to be diagnosed with MS, an incurable disease that attacks and scars the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.Minnesota Wild goaltender?Josh Harding was diagnosed with the disease in November 2012. Harding played sparingly after his diagnosis.Another former goalie, Jordan Sigalet, was diagnosed with MS in late 2003, and he has been a vocal supporter of research into the disease. Sigalet, a former standout at Bowling Green State University, is currently the goaltending coach of the Calgary Flames. He told ESPNs Joe McDonald that he would reach out to Bickell.I know first-hand what Bryan is going through, and it comes as a shock at such a young age when you are an elite athlete and in the prime of your life, Sigalet said.For me, it was great to have my teammates and family around for support and to keep a positive attitude and outlook. The disease is so different for everyone, but there are so many great treatments and resources available today that can help manage the disease, Sigalet added. My thoughts go out to him and his family, and I wish him nothing but the best.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Sam Reinhart Jersey . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. Pat Lafontaine Jersey . 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NICEVILLE, Fla. -- Providence got physical with No, 7 Virginia and scored 52 points, the most anyone has had this season against the nations top-ranked defense. It wasnt enough.Virginia beat the Friars 63-52 to win the Emerald Coast Classic on Saturday night.Virginias very, very fundamentally sound, Providence coach Ed Cooley said. They know each others strengths, weaknesses -- very, very disciplined team. One of the most disciplined teams that weve played against in a long time. ... They are going to be hell for somebody to beat.London Perrantes, selected the tournaments most valuable player, and Darius Thompson scored 11 points each to lead the Cavaliers.Virginia (6-0) had been giving up only 39.2 points per game.Providence (4-2) topped the 51 that UNC Greensboro scored against the Cavaliers, but had trouble penetrating the tight defense that denies post touches and forces contested jumpers.Mamadi Diakite added 10 points for Virginia.Jalen Lindsey led Providence with 18 points. Rodney Bullock added 16, but that was short of his 20.4 average.They are physical, really physical, offensively and defensively, Perrantes said about the Friars.He said the rough play, though, will only help the Cavaliers prepare for other tough opponents that will be coming up.Cooley also had some high praise for Perrantes, saying he may be the most poised player Ive seen in college basketball in a long, long, long time.Virginia coach Tony Bennett credited the CCavaliers balance for getting them through some challenging moments in the game including a 9-0 Providence run to start the second half that cut Virginias lead to five points.ddddddddddddIts not who we play, its how we play, Bennett said. We played pretty solid, but we had a lapse that could be very costly.BIG PICTUREVirginia: Bolstered by strong performances from bench players Marial Shayok, the team scoring leader averaging 11.2 points going into Saturdays game, and freshman Kyle Guy, the Cavaliers have shown little affect from the graduation of four players from last seasons 29-win team.Providence: Losing to a highly touted Virginia team does nothing to take the luster off a strong early season showing. That includes a dramatic come-from-behind 60-51 victory over previously undefeated Memphis in the Emerald Coast semifinals.POLL IMPLICATIONSAfter breezing through four relatively weak opponents to open the season, Virginia did the same in its first major challenge, beating the Big Tens Iowa 74-41 in the semifinals Friday. Taking down Providence from the Big East can only enhance the Cavaliers chances of moving up from their No. 7 ranking if any of the teams ahead of them stumble.UP NEXT:Providence: The Friars host New Hampshire on Wednesday.Virginia: Host Ohio State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday. ' ' '