Mike Fisher is one of my favourite NHL players, and as is the case with most of the ones I have an affection for, that stands for both on and off the ice.
On it, he was regarded as the ideal #2 center backing
Jason Spezza with the
Ottawa Senators for the better part of a decade, and as he has now moved into his mid-thirties, has continued to put up his 50 points per season despite playing on the less offense-minded
Nashville Predators.
Off the ice,
Carrie Underwood's husband still spends most of his days supporting countless charities, including still being involved with
Roger's House, a residential house/hospice for families of children with life-limiting diseases that has all the amenities of a full-fledged hospital but the comfort of one's home; it was set up by the Sens following the passing of their former coach
Roger Nielsen, the first NHL head coach to use modern technology (and video!) as a tool to teach and coach players.
It was during one of the Roger's House fundraisers in the middle of the '00 decade that I met Mr. Fisher while donating; he was signing 5x7 pictures in black sharpie, of his red (home) Sens uniform:
He plays every game - even in the pre-season - like it's a Game 7; it seems he takes his responsibilities as a role model just as seriously. It's really impressive and inspiring.
He suffered a ''freak accident'' while training this summer, and it should
keep him off the ice until November. I'm confident he'll make the Preds a much better team upon his return.
Edit: I'd made the mistake of trading it away a few years ago; I corrected that buying it back this Spring; I know it's the same one from the top-right corner being dented from the car ride home from Ottawa to Montréal.
