Nicholle Anderson diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Craig Anderson was back on the ice with his Ottawa Senators teammates on Friday after another leave of absence to be with his wife Nicholle as she continues her fight with cancer.

The Andersons released a statement thanking the hockey community for their love and support and revealed that Nicholle has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and will undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment in New York.

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Here’s the full statement:

First and most importantly, we want to take this opportunity to thank the entire hockey world for the tremendous support following Nicholle’s cancer diagnosis. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Ottawa Senators organization, from Eugene Melnyk to Pierre Dorion, coach 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.

Nicholle has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The treatment for this will require both chemotherapy and radiation, which will take place at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. She has already begun treatments and will continue these under the watchful eyes of the tremendous medical staff there.

Additionally, we felt it important to thank both the Philadelphia Flyers organization for helping set up the initial screening with our oncologist in the Lehigh Valley and the Ottawa Senators Foundation for its assistance. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity.

Many people have approached us about asking how they can support us during this challenging time. 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.

Finally, while we understand the public nature of Craig’s position, we kindly ask for your discretion in allowing both of us to take on this challenge privately. Should there be any updates or information in the future we will work with the Ottawa Senators to pass these along.

Thank you for all your love and support.

– Craig and Nicholle

According to the National Cancer Institute, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is “a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the nasopharynx,” which is the upper part of the throat.

Nicholle’s cancer fight was revealed on Oct. 29 by Senators GM Pierre Dorion. Two days later Craig helped Ottawa shut out the Edmonton Oilers in an emotional victory. Days after the netminder took another leave of absence to tend to his wife, the team honored her during their Hockey Fight Cancer night.

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Anderson has made seven starts since the news came out, but the Senators know that he may need to leave at any moment, which is why they picked up Mike Condon from the Pittsburgh Penguins as Andrew Hammond ‘s future in Ottawa remains murky.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy