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Brent Seabrook has been an absolute warrior for the Blackhawks. He will go down as one of the best defensemen in franchise history, and you don't have to remind the city of Chicago how valuable he was in each of the three Stanley Cup runs in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Ask any current or former teammate and they'll tell you Seabrook has always put the team before himself and it's true. But it wasn't more evident than Friday after hearing the laundry list of injuries he had been dealing with since the start of his NHL career and the fact nobody outside his inner circle ever knew.

For years, Seabrook said he hasn't been able to throw a baseball or football because of a right shoulder injury, which made playing catch with his kids impossible. Getting out of bed or sitting on the ground wasn't easy, either, on his back that he's had trouble with "for a long time." Heck, a simple task like going to the bathroom even felt like a chore, which Seabrook admitted is "probably more information than you need" but honestly put things into perspective.

After 15 years of putting the team first, it was time for Seabrook to do what was best for him by cleaning up everything that had ailed him over the years and that's what he did by undergoing three major surgeries — right shoulder and both hips — in a little more than a one-month span at the end of December to early February. You could argue he was still putting the team first by doing so because he wants to be the best version of himself for his teammates.

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Despite everything he has gone through, Seabrook remains committed to extending his hockey career for as long as his body lets him. And while he may not be part of the Blackhawks' postseason roster, Seabrook wasn't shy about his intentions going into training camp next season.

"I want to come back and be not just a good player for the Blackhawks, but a great player in the league," Seabrook said. "I think I’m very capable of doing that. I’ve done it for a long time and if I get an opportunity here to play, then I’m going to give this team everything I’ve got like I’ve always done."

Seabrook said he feels "incredible" but is still careful about not wanting to make any sudden movements out of fear he might tweak something. That's how bad it was before the three surgeries: it was normal for him to not feel normal.

On one hand, it must be a huge relief for Seabrook to resume regular activities without feeling pain. On the other, he’s 35 years old and coming off three major surgeries.

Naturally, there will be questions about his future, considering he has four years left on his contract after this season and carries a $6.875 million cap hit, which is the highest among Blackhawks defensemen. It’s a number that seems less manageable now than it was four months ago, given the fact the upper limit of the salary cap will stay flat for at least the next couple years.

Seabrook has heard it all but doesn’t care. Or at least isn't showing that he does. He plans on playing hockey next season and beyond.

The question may be whether he’ll finish his career in Chicago or elsewhere. He has complete control over his situation because his contract includes a full no-movement clause, but he understands the Blackhawks may view where he fits into the long-term picture differently.

But Seabrook is still confident in his ability to be an impact-type player for somebody.

“I don’t know where my place is here with the Blackhawks,” he said. “That’s a question for Stan [Bowman] and Jeremy [Colliton]. As far as the NHL goes, I know that I can be an impact player on a hockey club. This time off has re-energized me to be better.

"I still think that I’m one of the best defensemen in this locker room, and if given the chance and given the opportunities that some guys get, then I would definitely be able to live up to those expectations and exceed them. I’ve done it my whole career.

“A lot of people want to make a lot of my contract and my age, [but] if given the opportunity and feeling like a big part of the team on the ice, you’ll get everything I've got. And I've got lots left. I've got lots left.”

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