Bryan Bickell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bryan Bickell
Bickell with the Chicago Blackhawks in February 2012
Born	(1986-03-09) March 9, 1986 (age 39) Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	233 lb (106 kg; 16 st 9 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Chicago Blackhawks Orli Znojmo Carolina Hurricanes
NHL Draft	41st overall, 2004 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2006–2017
Website	bickellfoundation.org

Bryan Bickell (born March 9, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a left wing for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Bickell won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015. He also played in some early playoff games when the team won the Stanley Cup in 2010. He spent almost 10 years with the Blackhawks before moving to the Hurricanes. Later in 2016, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and retired from playing at the end of the 2016–17 season.

Bryan Bickell's Early Life

Bryan Bickell was born to Bill and Anne Bickell. He grew up in Orono, Ontario, Canada, with his older sister, Ashley. Besides hockey, Bryan also enjoyed playing baseball when he was young. He was a good outfielder and pitcher.

Even before becoming a full-time hockey player, Bryan had several jobs. He worked in construction and helped out at the Ottawa Senators' clubhouse. There, he cleaned laundry and did other duties. He even met future Chicago Blackhawks teammates Antoine Vermette and Marián Hossa during this time.

Bryan Bickell's Hockey Journey

Starting in Amateur Hockey

Bryan Bickell began playing minor ice hockey with the Orono Leafs. He later played for the Central Ontario Wolves. In 2000, he played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Red Wings.

For his Bantam season, Bryan joined the Toronto Red Wings. He was drafted by the Ottawa 67's in the second round of the 2002 OHL Priority Selection. Bryan was part of the Toronto Red Wings team that won the Bantam All-Ontario championship. His future Chicago Blackhawks teammate Dave Bolland was also on that team.

Becoming a Professional Player

The Chicago Blackhawks picked Bryan Bickell in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 41st player chosen overall.

Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks (2006–2016)

Bryan signed his first professional contract on June 5, 2006. He then left the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to play for the Norfolk Admirals in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Bryan made his NHL debut on April 5, 2007. He scored his first NHL goal against Chris Osgood of the Detroit Red Wings. He played three games for the Blackhawks that season, scoring two goals.

In the 2007–08 season, Bryan played four games for the Blackhawks. He spent most of his time with the Rockford IceHogs, an AHL team. He scored 19 goals and 20 assists for 39 points with the IceHogs.

Bryan faced some injuries during the 2008–09 season. He broke his thumb in December 2008 and later had an eye injury in March 2009. Despite these setbacks, he returned to play. The Blackhawks called him up to be a "black ace" (a reserve player) for the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Blackhawks won their first playoff series since 1996 that year.

On July 8, 2009, Bryan signed a one-year extension with the Blackhawks. He got his first NHL assist on December 27, 2009. Bryan became a regular player for the Blackhawks in the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. He played in four playoff games and had one assist. The Blackhawks went on to win the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers. This was the team's first Stanley Cup since 1961. Bryan received a championship ring and was in the team photo, but his name was not added to the Cup that year.

Bryan signed a three-year extension with the Blackhawks on July 23, 2010. The 2010–11 season was his first full year in the NHL. He had a great season, scoring 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points. In the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored his first playoff goal. However, he had to have surgery on his wrist after getting cut by a skate blade.

His scoring dropped a bit in the 2011–12 season. He scored nine goals and 15 assists. The Blackhawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs that year.

During the shorter 2012–13 season, Bryan played well. He scored nine goals and 14 assists. He was especially strong in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. He scored nine goals and eight assists in 23 games. In Game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, he scored the goal that tied the game against the Boston Bruins. His teammate, Dave Bolland, scored the winning goal just 17 seconds later. This win gave the Blackhawks their second Stanley Cup in four seasons. Bryan played through a torn knee ligament during these playoffs.

Bickell with the Blackhawks warming up for the 2015 NHL Winter Classic.

After his great playoff performance, Bryan signed a four-year contract worth $16 million on June 30, 2013. He dealt with more injuries during the 2013–14 season. Despite this, he played well in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring seven goals and three assists. The Blackhawks reached the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Los Angeles Kings.

In the 2014–15 season, Bryan played a career-high 80 games. He scored 14 goals and 14 assists. His playoff scoring was lower that year. He missed the first two games of the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals due to health issues. He returned for Game 3 but was scratched again for the final three games. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in six games, giving Bryan his third championship. His name was engraved on the Cup for the second time.

The Blackhawks tried to trade Bryan before the 2015–16 season. He struggled with health issues and spent much of the season with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL). He played 25 games for the Blackhawks, recording two assists.

Playing for the Carolina Hurricanes and Retirement (2016–2017)

In 2016, the Blackhawks traded Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teräväinen to the Carolina Hurricanes. This trade helped the Blackhawks manage their team salary. Bryan scored one goal in seven games for the Hurricanes. However, he started having health problems again. On November 11, 2016, the Hurricanes announced that Bryan had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). He was placed on injured reserve to get treatment.

Bryan began practicing with the Hurricanes again in January 2017. He returned to play for the Hurricanes on April 4, 2017. Bryan played the final game of his career on April 9, scoring a shootout goal in a win against the Philadelphia Flyers. He finished his NHL career with 66 goals and 70 assists in 395 games. He also had 20 goals and 19 assists in 75 playoff games.

The NHL honored Bryan Bickell's career on June 21, 2017, at the NHL Awards ceremony. They praised him for his strength while battling multiple sclerosis. On October 4, Bryan signed a special one-day contract with the Blackhawks to retire as a member of the team. The Blackhawks honored him at the United Center before their first game of the 2017–18 season.

Bryan Bickell's Health Journey

Bryan Bickell started having symptoms of vertigo during the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals. He thought it was from an infected tooth. Later, his agent said Bryan had "vestibular issues," which affected his play in the 2015–16 season.

In November 2016, he began feeling unexplained pain in his shoulder and leg. Doctors then diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis (MS) on November 11, 2016. Bryan said, "Since the 2015 playoffs, I've been struggling to understand what was going on with my body." He took time off from hockey for treatment. He returned to play briefly in April 2017 but then announced his retirement to focus on his MS treatment.

Bryan Bickell's Personal Life

Bryan Bickell and his wife have two daughters. They started the Bryan & Amanda Bickell Foundation. This foundation helps rescue and care for abused pit bulls.

Career statistics

Awards and Honours