Craig Anderson’s Wife Nicholle Diagnosed with Cancer: Dorion Updates Goaltending Situation

#Sens GM Pierre Dorion updates the media on Craig Anderson and the Sens’ current goaltender situation. pic.twitter.com/sMdqF6lt4k

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 29, 2016

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For an organization that has dealt with so many saddening medical episodes in recent years, the Senators and its fan base were delivered another blow when general manager Pierre Dorion announced this afternoon that Craig Anderson’s wife Nicholle had been diagnosed with cancer.

Although there was no mention of when the diagnosis was made, Anderson was granted a leave of absence for personal reasons on Thursday. That he was even playing at all recently is remarkable, but most incredibly, thanks to the lower-body injury that Andrew Hammond suffered in last night’s 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, Nicholle Anderson pushed for Craig to return to the team and help his club.

“Nicholle told Craig to phone me, which he did during the game,” explained Dorion. “We talked to Craig after the game and it was determined that because they were in a wait period and they were going to drive to Ottawa as a family today, that it would be alright for Craig to come and rejoin his team.”

Words cannot even describe how incredibly unselfish and courageous Nicholle’s choice is.

I can’t imagine the demands and stressors that come with being a professional athlete, let alone being a professional athlete who has to handle a personal tragedy like this, but hopefully the presence of his teammates and friends will be therapeutic for the goaltender.

There is never a silver lining in a situation like this, but the Senators have exhibited a strength and resilience in these types of situations. From Bryan Murray’s battle with Stage-4 colon cancer to Eugene Melnyk’s liver transplant, their very public battles have helped raise awareness and money towards these causes. There’s no question the organization will do everything within its means to do the same now.

It is unclear how long Anderson will remain with the team, but with Hammond being placed on the injured reserve for at least one week, both Matt O’Connor and Chris Driedger will remain with the team.

My thoughts and best wishes go out to the Andersons, their friends and family and to the Senators organization.

Fuck cancer.