pressure on myself when I do that.Swanson spent just 127 games in the minors. The former Vanderbilt standout had a combined .275 average and nine homers and 55 RBI in 105 games between Mississippi a

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.Indiana Pacers Gear . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. 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Indiana Pacers Pro Shop .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre.ATLANTA -- Shortstop Dansby Swanson, born and raised in the north Atlanta suburbs, is making no promises to help turn around his hometown Braves.Swanson, the Braves top prospect and the No. 1 overall draft pick of 2015, had his contract selected from Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday and was immediately put in the lineup batting eighth.The sparse crowd at Turner Field, not unusual this season for the major leagues worst team, gave Swanson some loud cheers before and during the game. He walked up to his first at-bat with Ludacris Georgia playing over the speakers and received a standing ovation before lining out in the second inning.A lot of emotion, but its a good time, Swanson said before Wednesdays game against the Minnesota Twins. Im enjoying it and looking forward to everything Atlanta has to offer the next seven weeks.Swanson was running on adrenaline and excitement before the game.After a six-hour drive from Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday night, he arrived at his parents home in Marietta at 2 a.m. Swanson got a couple hours of sleep, took a surreal drive to Turner Field and was the first player to arrive in the clubhouse around 11 a.m., spending 30 minutes talking with Brian Snitker in the interim managers office.Hes a very well-grounded kid, very intelligent, Snitker said. He gets it. The intangibles are just dripping off this young man, not to mention his athletic abilities as a baseball player.Atlanta created a spot on the 25-man roster for Swanson after trading shortstop Erick Aybar to Detroit on Tuesday night and designating Mike Aviles, the utility man acquired in the deal, for assignment.Swanson was eager to get on the field and prove that he belongs in the big leagues. He was thhe first No.dddddddddddd 1 overall pick to debut in the season following his draft year since Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg in 2009.Expectations have been predictably high since last December, when the Braves traded pitcher Shelby Miller and minor leaguer Gabe Speier to Arizona for Swanson, center fielder Ender Inciarte and pitcher Aaron Blair.Swanson was projected to fill a big spot at his position after Atlanta traded away Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons the month before.Pressure is kind of something that comes about when I guess you dont believe in yourself as much, that you dont believe in something you can do or accomplish, Swanson said. I just worry about what I can control and theres no pressure on myself when I do that.Swanson spent just 127 games in the minors. The former Vanderbilt standout had a combined .275 average and nine homers and 55 RBI in 105 games between Mississippi and Class A Carolina.This is a very smart kid and a good player, Hart said. However he performs up here, I think its going to be beneficial for him and for us as we go to make a decision to what were going to do with the shortstop position next year.Swanson said he was too young to remember his first game at Turner Field, but by the time he was old enough to pay attention, Braves star third baseman Chipper Jones made a lasting impression.Every time I came to a game, Chipper always hit a home run, like five different times, Swanson said. It was pretty spectacular.His family home will be even closer for Swanson next year as the Braves move into a new ballpark in Marietta. ' ' '