Anders Lindback and Adult-Onset Still’s Disease

Anders Lindback was signed on July 1st, 2014 by the Dallas Stars organization during the beginning of the NHL Free Agency market. The former Tampa Bay Lightning backup goaltender was presumed to be the new backup for Kari Lehtonen and the Stars. But less than a week later, the Stars signed goaltender Jussi Rynnas and brought Texas Stars goalie Jack Campbell back into the conversation for the backup spot, leaving all questions about the new Stars backup to be answered at the Dallas Stars training camp from September 19th-21st.

But Lindback’s ability to fight for the backup position comes with a possible handicap, because Anders Lindback suffers from Adult-Onset Still’s Disease.

After experiencing symptoms in 2007, just a few months before he entered the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Lindback saw doctors in order to try and solve the problem. “It took so long for them to figure it out since it’s such a rare disease,” Lindback said in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times back in 2012. After the doctors figured out the disease, Lindback was prescribed medication and has not felt any major sickness since. “It’s just part of me. Taking the meds is a daily part of my life, like brushing my teeth,” Lindback said in the same interview.

Adult-Onset Still’s Disease is a rare inflammatory disease, affecting less than one in 100,000 people each year, and proving more common in women than men. It usually develops in people before age 45, and can be difficult to diagnose, considering its similarities to other diseases, such as Lyme disease or Crohn’s disease.

Adult Still’s results in a few different symptoms, but the type, pattern, severity, and occurrence of these symptoms can vary depending on the affected person. Symptoms include:

-Spiking fever, usually around 102 degrees or greater, that comes on once a day, though most go away quickly and do not require any treatment.

-Joint pain and swelling, affecting a few joints, like wrists and ankles, and then proceeding to multiple joints. This will usually occur in the morning and last a few hours.

-A salmon-colored rash that usually occurs with the fever and produces no itching.

-Severe muscle ache, which may appear with the fever as well.

-Sore throat that can prove to be severe, constant, and burning.

-Abdominal pain, pain when taking a deep breath, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss are also possible symptoms.

Anders Lindback continues to take his medicine, but it is never entirely sure what is going to happen.

The 26-year-old has seen a bit of a bump since his first season in Nashville, where he posted an 11-5-2 record in 22 games, along with a .915 save percentage and a 2.60 goals against average. Last season, Lindback registered an 8-12-2 record in 23 games as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s backup goaltender, along with a .891 save percentage and a 2.90 goals against average. His numbers did not improve at all throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, either. With Tampa Bay’s starting goaltender Ben Bishop breaking his wrist just a few games before the postseason, Anders Lindback was awarded the starting job and disappointed. As the Lightning were swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, Lindback posted a 0-3-0 record through his four games started, giving up 14 goals and recording a .881 save percentage and a 3.91 goals against average.

If the medicine can counteract the disease enough to allow him to perform to his full potential, will Anders Lindback become the Dallas Stars number two goaltender? Training camp will offer a good look of the Dallas Stars decisions and will hopefully end up giving a clear look for the final lineup.

Do you think Lindback is ready to take on the Stars backup goalie position?

Leave your comments and questions below, and as always thanks for reading!

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