Harding has kindred hockey spirit in Sigalet

[Falcon Fanatic]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion ... galet.html

The news broke late Wednesday that Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In Abbotsford, B.C., one of his former peers read the news.

"Brings back memories," said Jordan Sigalet, now the goaltending coach for the hometown Heat of the AHL.

Sigalet was diagnosed with MS when playing for Bowling Green State University in March 2004. Harding kept his news secret from everyone but close family for one month. Sigalet did so for six months. Only his family and coaches knew.

"I was worried what Boston was going to think," Sigalet said, referring to the Bruins, who owned his NHL rights. "I hid behind a lie.

"I'd say I had the flu or not feeling well. I was not being honest with myself ... I was in denial, always thinking one more doctor would tell me it was misdiagnosed."

Once he finally did admit the truth, things changed for the better

"The emails and letters made me feel so much better about going public," he said.

Dave Lewis, then head coach of the Red Wings -- and later with Sigalet in Boston -- sent a handwritten note that really energized him, so Sigalet will reach out to Harding and the message will be that this doesn't mean your career or your life is over.

"It made me a stronger person and a better goalie," he said. "Every time I stepped on the ice, I thought about the doubters, those who didn't think I could do it.

"I wanted to prove people wrong ... It's been nine years since I was diagnosed and it wasn't the reason I retired. It was time to move on with my life."

Sigalet played three years in the AHL and did get into an NHL game with the Bruins before trying one season in Europe. He laughed at the idea that it's solely his coaching that has Abbotsford allowing the fewest goals in the AHL so far this year. The only scare in his on-ice career came in November 2007, when he collapsed while playing for Providence.

"I was dehydrated, exhausted," he said. "There were signs a few days earlier I shouldn't play.

" people won't think less of you if you don't play or take a game off. You'll be fine.

"The big thing is fatigue. Rest when you can, take care of your body, but as an athlete, you should be used to that already.

"Learn your limits, don't allow yourself to get overheated. There were days when I was playing, living my life that I didn't even know I had it."

That's probably the best news of all.

[Falcon Fanatic]

Great article on Jordan in relation to Harding's diagnosis:
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/86937 ... -sclerosis

And an article on Harding and how he's handling it:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/ ... ml?refer=y

[jpfalcon09]

My aunt's spouse just got diagnosed with MS and it made me think of Jordan. Terrible disease.