Bowling Green senior goaltender Jordan Sigalet made public Saturday that he suffers from multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Sigalet was diagnosed in early March.
Over the past nine months, Sigalet, a native of Surrey, B.C., has missed just three games due to complications from MS, including March 4, 2004, at Western Michigan, December 4, 2004, versus Michigan State, and December 11, 2004, versus Michigan.
This season, he has helped lead Bowling Green to a national ranking, and to its best start since 1995-96.
“After discussing this with my family and giving it much thought, I have decided it is time to make public that I suffer from multiple sclerosis,” said Sigalet. “By doing this, I hope to somehow help others that have this disease and possibly learn more myself. The support from my family, teammates, and coaches over the last nine months has been awesome. I can’t thank them enough.”
Sigalet, an All-CCHA first-team selection last season, holds BGSU’s all-time save percentage record (.915) and is second in goals against average (3.00). He set a school record and led the nation through the regular season last year with 1,140 saves.
“What Jordan has exhibited over the last nine months, both physically and mentally, is nothing short of extraordinary,” said BGSU head coach Scott Paluch. “His ability to deal with his disease and perform at the high level he has is unbelievable.”
Sigalet is the first goalie in BG’s 35-year history to wear the captain’s “C.” He is a seventh-round 2001 draft pick of the Boston Bruins and a four-time CCHA Goalie of the Week selection.
Since his diagnosis, he has been under the medical care of BGSU team physician Dr. Tom Wojciechowski and Dr. Khalid Mahmood, as well as physicians in his hometown.
Sigalet will hold a press conference on Monday, December 13 at 1:15 p.m. ET in the alumni lounge of the BG Ice Arena to speak about his illness. On hand will be Sigalet, Paluch, several teammates, and Dr. Wojciechowski.
