Singular efforts by Bruins brothers
WILMINGTON -- When Jordan Sigalet was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in March 2004, he kept the news quiet. Only his family and those closest to him in the Bowling Green hockey program knew the truth. Once he came to terms with what was happening to him, he elected to go public because he wanted to share his story and hoped to help others with the disease.
Not long ago, the 24-year-old attended a seminar in Quincy that prepared him to serve as an ambassador for MS Lifelines, which raises awareness. But as much as Sigalet values that role, he's now concentrating on another -- making the Bruins.
The netminder has been participating in rookie training camp along with his younger brother, Jonathan, who is a defenseman. Both are Boston draft picks -- Jordan in 2001 (No. 209 overall) and Jonathan this year (No. 100 overall).
''It's a great opportunity to try to prove yourself," said Jordan, who played four years at Bowling Green. ''I got drafted four years ago and it's the first time I've been able to come to camp, so it's an exciting time.
''My older brother played and got me interested and Jonathan kind of followed me. We never got the opportunity to play together when he was younger because of the age difference, but him coming to [college] a year early gave us an opportunity. With luck, he got drafted and signed right away.
''There are no guarantees we'll play on the same team again, but the opportunity is there. When he got drafted we were excited enough then. A month later, he signed. We're hoping to be on the same team so we can be roommates and be teammates once again."
Of how he is coping physically, he said: so far, so good.
''For the last six months, I've felt like a normal person," he said. ''I take an injection three times a week and it seems to be working. As long as that's working, I'm happy. I just have to treat it one day at a time.
''I wanted to reach out and help others with the disease. It's helped me a lot, too. I've done two small events and I hope to do more when I have time. Probably a year ago, I couldn't get in front of a big crowd of people. The training I did and just what I've gone through has made things a lot easier."
Jonathan Sigalet said it's all been a bit of a whirlwind, given how fast everything has transpired since he decided to leave school after two seasons.
''I was a bit nervous coming in, I didn't really know what to expect being my first camp," said the 19-year-old. ''I think everyone is excited. By the third day everyone kind of settled down a little bit. I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm really excited about the chance that Boston has given me to come to camp this year."
Having his big brother around has been a bonus.
''It's pretty neat," he said. ''I don't think either of us thought it would happen again after college. It's definitely pretty exciting for both of us. We know to push each other's buttons a little bit, too. We're best friends on and off the ice, so it's nice we can be together. I feel like I can always go back and finish school, but I wanted to take this opportunity while it's here."
Jonathan, who majored in health science, said Jordan's diagnosis hit everyone in his family hard.
''I'm used to leaning on him," he said. ''I'm used to him being a pillar of strength for me. When it was my turn to be there for him, it was a bit of a role reversal. It was hard to watch, but he's pulled through it tremendously and he's playing great right now. He looks as good as he has ever looked."
''I think they've had great camps," said coach Mike Sullivan. ''[Jordan] is a solid goaltender, a solid prospect, and [Jonathan] really skates well and has great instincts."
When Scott Gomez broke into the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, it helped put the spotlight on hockey players native to Alaska. Bruins prospect Nate Thompson, who turns 21 on opening night, is a native of Anchorage and is hoping to become the latest from his home state to make it to the big leagues.
''We've met each other a little bit," said Thompson of Gomez. ''I love spending the summer at home. I have to go back for the weather and the fishing. It has produced a lot of players. It's come a long way. Even the college hockey, University of Alaska-Anchorage, they've turned it around."
Thompson, a center, was drafted by Boston in 2003 (No. 183 overall) and played in Providence during last spring's postseason after finishing his junior season in Seattle. He suited up for the Baby B's in 11 contests.
He played with tough guy Colton Orr and Martin Samuelsson and said it was a lot of fun. ''It was a really good line," he said. ''We generated a lot. There were some games where we had a lot of scoring chances.
''It helps me being in Providence last year. I have a little more confidence, knowing that I can play at that level."
The Bruins open full training camp at the TD Banknorth Garden today. Rookies have a mandatory practice at 9 a.m. and veterans have two ice times, which are optional -- 10:30-11:15 and 11:30-12:15. The Bruins will skate at the Garden through Thursday. All sessions are open to the public. For the complete schedule, log on to BostonBruins.com.
