Sens' Craig Anderson, ailing wife thank hockey world for support

​Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson thanked the hockey world on Friday for the support he has received since his wife Nicholle's recent cancer diagnosis.

In a joint statement released by the NHL team, Craig and Nicholle revealed for the first time the type of cancer she is battling — nasopharyngeal carcinoma, located in the upper region of the throat behind the nose. 

"We would like to express our gratitude to the Ottawa Senators organization, from [owner] Eugene Melnyk to [general manager] Pierre Dorion, [head] coach [Guy] Boucher and the players to the other wives, girlfriends and fans who have gone to great lengths to allow us both to battle this together," said the Andersons.

While the Senators initially believed Craig would be spending considerable time away from the team after Nicholle's diagnosis, Boucher is optimistic the 35-year-old goaltender will be around more often.

We simply ask for your thoughts and well wishes, and that those who choose to continue to support their local cancer society.- Craig and Nicholle Anderson's message to hockey fans worldwide

The Andersons said treatment for Nicholle's cancer, which includes chemotherapy and radiation, has already started at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre in New York.

Craig and Nicholle also expressed their gratitude to the Philadelphia Flyers for helping arrange the initial screening with their oncologist in Lehigh Valley along with the Ottawa Senators Foundation.

"Many people have approached us asking how they can support us during this challenging time," said the Andersons. "We simply ask for your thoughts and well wishes, and that those who choose to continue to support their local cancer society for research on how to cure this disease."

Craig Anderson first took a leave of absence in late October and upon his return made 37 saves in an emotional 2-0 victory over Edmonton.

Since then, Anderson has posted a 3-3 record with an outstanding .946 save percentage. He was practising with the team Friday morning after Mike Condon started Thursday night in a 5-1 loss to the visiting Nashville Predators.

The Senators have been rocked by cancer before. Many Ottawa fans remember former coach Roger Neilson's hard-fought battle during the 2002-03 season and his inspirational meeting with players prior to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final, or the support for assistant coach Mark Reeds, who lost his battle with esophageal cancer in 2015.

Bryan Murray, the Senators former GM and current senior hockey adviser, continues to battle Stage 4 colon cancer.

Many of the players who have been affected by cancer in some way were among the first to offer support to the Anderson family.

"Andy's been an incredible inspiration to all of us the way he's been able to deal with what Nicholle is going through and his whole family," said defenceman Dion Phaneuf. "We want to support him and her as much as we possibly can.

"He's just been incredible. There's no words to describe what he's done for our team, being so unselfish and coming back to our team during such a tough time and playing the way that he has is incredible. It just speaks to the character of him. He's got all the support in the world from us."

The 10-6-1 Senators, who sit third in the Atlantic Division, play host to Florida on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Boucher confirmed Friday that Anderson would start.

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