Mike Fisher may be retired, but the former Nashville Predator is still making significant changes in his life in 2019. The Canadian hockey star announced on Instagram on Thursday that he is now officially an American. The Predators honored their former captain on "Mike Fisher Night" at Bridgestone Arena in February. Before the ceremony began, Fisher was given the #27 jersey by fellow former Predator Peter Forsberg.
Fisher said he made the decision to become an American because it's where his family is from. He explained that when he signed with Nashville in 2007 he became a U.S. citizen because he wanted to make himself available for selection by the United States at international competitions like the Winter Olympics and World Championships.
The 35-year-old Fisher played 10 seasons in Nashville before signing with Ottawa last year. He spent two seasons with the Senators before announcing his retirement in January 2018. He had 91 goals and 137 assists in 393 games during his career.
After retirement, Fisher told ESPN that he plans to start a business with his wife, Julie, who also plays hockey. They are currently working on a book about her experience as the first female head coach of a major junior team in Canada. The couple has three children: sons Cooper and Finn, and daughter Rosella.
Fisher said he wants to stay involved in hockey. He mentioned as possible jobs coaching or managing a team in Europe or Asia.
Fisher formally retired at the end of the 2017-18 season, but he returned for one more try at the Stanley Cup. In the 2017-18 season, he returned to the Predators for 16 regular-season games. He had two goals and four points during that time.
He then went on to play for Finland in the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he had three goals and six points in five games. The Finns finished fourth place in their group.
After the tournament was over, it was announced that Fisher had decided to retire for good. "I want to be clear: I'm not coming back," he said. "My body is telling me it's time to go."
Fisher was one of the best power forwards in the league for most of his career. He won the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the league three times in the early 2000s. Before retiring, he tried to win another championship with Nashville, but they were defeated by Vegas in the 2017 Western Conference Final.
Before becoming a player, Fisher was already a fan favorite because of his energetic plays and offensive skills. He currently works as an analyst for NBC Sports on their coverage of the NHL.
Fisher made his Predators debut on February 12, 2011, scoring an assist in a 5-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Fisher announced his retirement on January 31, 2018, in order to assist the Predators win another Stanley Cup. He had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his jaw in May 2017.
Fisher was drafted ninth overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2004 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons with the University of Michigan before turning pro. The Penguins selected him with the third pick of the 2006 NHL Draft.
He is the second highest scorer for the Predators behind Paul Kariya and the most successful Finnish player in franchise history. Fisher won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2008 for sportsmanship and integrity.
Before joining the Predators, Fisher played three seasons for the Penguins, where he became a fan favorite for his energy and offensive skills. The Penguins won the 2009 Stanley Cup after beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in Game 7 of the Finals.
Fisher has 49 goals and 79 assists in 258 games during his NHL career. He won't be able to play again this season because of the cancer but will be ready for next year's playoffs if the Predators make it that far.
Fisher announced his retirement on January 31, 2018.
Mike Fisher, a former ice hockey player, is the sort of person who is built for the outdoors and enjoys hunting and fishing. He goes to a hunting camp in Kentucky with his brother Bud and a friend named Austin Casselman. They catch up on each other's lives over beers and then go hunting. When the men are ready to leave, they drive away from the camp site carrying the bottles of beer they had been drinking before heading out into the woods. This episode originally aired on October 5, 2010.
Here are some quotes from or about Mike Fisher:
"I'm a pretty simple guy. I like to fish, hunt, and be outside." - Mike Fisher
Fisher was born on March 10, 1978 in Fort William, Ontario. He played ice hockey until he was 18 years old before switching to bass fishing. The Canadian-born athlete currently plays for the Nashville Predators and is usually assigned the role of right wing. He has won two Stanley Cups with the Predators and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2011.
He is married to Jessica Youngblood and they have one son together, Mason James Fisher, who was born in April 2009. His wife's family owns a trucking company so they can afford to live a comfortable life. Fisher's net worth is $10 million dollars.
Mike Fisher/Professions is an ice hockey player and actor. He currently plays left wing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the Senators, he played for the Nashville Predators for eight seasons.
He first put on the blades at age 11 with the Detroit Compuware Minor Hockey Club before moving up to Major Junior. With the Portland Winter Hawks, he won a Memorial Cup in 1997. In 1998, he made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators.
After three seasons with the Predators, where he scored 66 goals and added 102 assists for 168 points, Fisher was traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2001. He has since become one of the top power play quarterbacks in the league.
In addition to playing hockey, Fisher has appeared in several television series and films. He began appearing in TV commercials at age 16 and became a regular cast member on The Drew Carey Show in 2004. He also had a role as himself on Family Guy in 2006.
Fisher was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series: Musical or Comedy for his work on Family Guy but didn't win.