Sep 5, 2007, 0:10 GMT
Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Oilers forward Fernando Pisani is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, the team announced on Tuesday.
Pisani is undergoing treatment and will not be in the line when the team begins training camp later this month.
'We are very concerned about Fernando's medical condition and we wish him nothing but a full and healthy recovery,' said Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe. 'Hockey will be secondary until he gets the care and treatment required.'
A four-year veteran with Edmonton, the 30-year-old Edmonton native has 56 goals and 52 assists in 268 games. During the Oilers playoff run in the 2005-06 season, which saw the club lose to Carolina in the Stanley Cup Finals, he posted 14 goals and four assists in 24 games.
'I would like to thank everyone who has supported me through this difficult time, especially my wife and family,' said Pisani. 'I appreciate all the wonderful words of encouragement I have received, including messages from my teammates. I look forward to returning to the Oilers.'
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