Providence junior forward Drew Brown has returned home to Michigan to receive treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and will not play during the 2014-15 season.
Brown, a Grass Lake, Mich., native, recently began chemotherapy treatment at the University of Michigan’s University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“My family and my teammates have been great,” Brown said in a statement. “I have had so much support from them and that’s made a tough situation a lot easier.”
“Drew is in for a big fight, but he’s as tough and as hardworking as they come,” added Friars’ coach Nate Leaman. “I have known Drew and his family for several years and we will be there to support them however we can in the coming year.”
During the 2013-14 season, Brown tallied two goals and four assists in 16 games.
Brown played in all three of Providence’s Hockey East playoff games before being sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained in a semifinal game on March 21.
While receiving treatment for that injury, an MRI revealed the tumor.
“The [Providence College] training and medical staff was there every step of the way, trying to figure out what was wrong,” Brown said. “I’m glad our sports medicine department takes such pride in caring for their athletes and found this tumor early because of their persistence.”
Brown has played 75 games over the past three seasons for the Friars, compiling 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points.
