RALEIGH -- With each day, each practice, almost each stride on the ice, Bryan Bickell has gotten closer.
In November, when the Carolina Hurricanes forward was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, so much was unknown, his future uncertain.
Would he ever play hockey again? Could he play it at the NHL level? Or did having MS mean retirement from professional sports? What were the treatments? How long would they take?
The questions were many, but most have been addressed and answered. The treatments have been effective, controlling the symptoms of MS. He was able to return to Canes practice and on Friday should be headed to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL to play games again, to compete, to move ckoser to an NHL return.