| Born: | Mar 9, 1986 | Draft: | 2004 Blackhawks, 41st Overall |
| Hometown: | Bowmanville, Ontario | Position: | Left Wing |
| Known For: | 3x Stanley Cup Champion | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | Canada | Current Status: | Retired |
Bryan Bickell (born March 9, 1986) is a former Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2016-2017 season. Drafted 41st overall by Chicago Blackhawks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Bickell made a name for himself with the Ottawa 67’s and Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a combination of size, speed, and physicality, plus he could finish plays and rack up points. His prowess in the postseason is what made him particularly special and someone the Blackhawks coveted.
Although his first four seasons were split between the NHL and American Hockey League (AHL), Bickell became an NHL regular one year after Chicago ended a 49-year Stanley Cup draught. Though his name was not inscribed on the trophy, he received a ring for his role with the organization. Bickell’s game translated well in his first full season, where he registered a career high 37 points in 78 games. Though his offense trended downwards after that, his contributions in the playoffs helped the team become a contender throughout the decade, and capturing the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup. Most notably was his 2013 run, where he amassed 17 points in 23 games.
Strapped by cap restrictions and forcing their hand to make moves in order to clear space, the Blackhawks traded Bickell, along with Teuvo Teravainen to the Hurricanes, for two draft picks. The move brought an end to his ten-year tenure with the organization and was bitter-sweet for both the player and the team. While the Blackhawks got the cap space they desperately needed, and Carolina got an excellent player in Teravainen, Bickell’s career winded down to 11 games in 2016-17 season. Focusing on his family, he announced his retirement on April 8, 2017. On October 4 of the same year, he signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Blackhawks, allowing him to retire with the team that drafted him.
Bryan Bickell Statistics
Deeper Dive
- Bickell Says It’s Time for Family
- Bryan Bickell: Unnecessary Hero
- Chicago Blackhawks: Honoring Bryan Bickell
Achievements
- CHL Top Prospects Game (2004)
- 3X NHL Stanley Cup Champion (2010, 2013, 2015)