The 5 greatest moments of Mike Fisher's NHL career
At the age of 37, Mike Fisher closed the book on his NHL career Thursday.
The former second-round pick totaled 1,088 games over 17 seasons, racking up 276 goals, 309 assists, and 807 penalty minutes.
Here are five scenes depicting everything Fisher brought to the ice over his career:
Starting a fight in front of Carrie Underwood
With no explanation necessary, Fisher's career will forever be tied to wife and country music superstar Carrie Underwood. Meeting backstage at one of her concerts in Ottawa, the two would go on to get married in 2010. The Ottawa Senators traded Fisher at the 2010 trade deadline as part of a team rebuild, but facilitated the trade to the Nashville Predators so he and Ms. Underwood would be in the Music City.
It was Fisher Ms. Underwood who would help to popularize the Predators in the city now known as Smashville.
While this was far from the most vicious fight of Fisher's career, the fact he would drop the gloves in in front of his wife could make it his most courageous.
Emerging from his wife's shadow
Fisher played in 134 career playoff games, qualifying for the postseason in 12 of his 17 seasons in the league. This past playoff run with the Predators marked his second trip to the Stanley Cup Final in his career. While he racked up just four assists without a goal during the Predators' franchise-altering run, his greatest playoff moment came the year prior.
After dropping the first two games of their second round series to the San Jose Sharks, the Predators returned home to win the first game in Nashville. Halfway through the third overtime session of Game 2, Fisher became known as much more than Mr. Carrie Underwood.
Setting a Senators record
Born in Peterborough, Ontario just a couple hours drive from Canada's capital, the Senators selected a local boy with the 44th pick of the 1998 draft.
Fisher's final full season with the Senators in 2009-10 was his most productive, as he'd finish the year with 25 goals and 53 points, still career bests. His defining moment of the season came by securing a nine-game win streak - the franchise's longest - with an overtime goal over the rival Montreal Canadiens.
The streak would end two games later.
Using his head, properly
Aside from being a fan favorite, teammates would frequently praise Fisher for acts such as this, when he stood up for goaltender Martin Gerber, who had received a late hit from Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker.
Fisher showed his leadership and grit by taking the illegal shot from Walker. Walker would be suspended for his actions.
Final game in Ottawa
Having played the first 675 games of his career with the Senators, Fisher played his final game in Ottawa early in the 2016-17 season. Just a few games after playing career game No. 1,000, Fisher's original NHL team was able to honor a player who'll forever be a fan favorite.
With his NHL career now over, Fisher is set to take on new challenges. As long as Ms. Underwood is by his side, he's sure to remain in the public eye in Smashville. He appears ready for a seamless transition to stage two.
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