Photo Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

After seventeen seasons and 1,088 NHL games, it is time for Nashville Predators Captain Mike Fisher to hang up his skates. Although it had been the talk since the Predators fell to the Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Fisher made his officially announcement this morning with The Tennessean.

Chosen in the second round (44th overall) in the 1998 NHL Draft, Fisher began (and spent the majority of) his tenured NHL career with the Ottawa Senators. However, on February 10, 2011, the veteran was traded to Nashville for the Predators’ first round draft pick in the 2011 Draft and a conditional pick in 2012. Of course, there was a little speculation that Nashville sought out Mike Fisher, not only for his due to being a superior Centerman, but because he – at that point – had just married Country superstar, Carrie Underwood. The reasoning behind this thought was the connection between Country music and hockey would essentially put more butts in the seats at Bridgestone. Whether that was the true case or not, Nashville gained not only a great centerman, but an effective leader on and off the ice. Fisher was even awarded the 2012 NHL Foundation Player Award, which is given to the NHL player who exemplifies the core values of hockey – commitment, teamwork, and perseverance.

Even as early as last year, rumors began to swirl about Fisher and a possible retirement. However, despite those conditions, the Nashville Predators named Fisher the 7th captain in franchise history on September 7, 2016.

“This is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I know I’ve made the right one. I’ve decided to retire from the NHL.

I kept praying for peace about the next step in my life. A peace that said this is God’s will for your future. A peace that said whether or not this was the right time to walk away.”

– Mike Fisher

I won’t post Fisher’s letter to the fans in its entirety in respect to The Tennessean, but you can read #12’s heartfelt message here.

But to Mike – thank you.
Thank you for everything you brought to our hockey franchise and to the city of Nashville as a whole. Your on and off ice contributions in our community will never be matched and we are better humans for knowing you. You will truly be missed on the ice, but I have a feeling you’ll still be around. Congratulations on retirement; you deserve it.