For the first 24 hours of the Mike Fisher era in Nashville Predators' history, all the focus has been on the low hanging fruit and obvious storylines.
We know that Carrie Underwood has a husband that is a pretty good hockey player. We also have heard repeatedly that Fisher is a gritty two way forward that is perfect for the Barry Trotz coached Predators. I've even championed the fact that the acquisition shows the commitment of the Predators' management to a long playoff run.
There is another side to the story that will have a lasting impact over the next few years that has not been discussed. Mike Fisher, the individual, is a great human being and has a laundry list of selfless accomplishments on his resume that he will share with the Nashville community as he settles in.
Not since the days of Stu "Grim Reaper" Grimson have the Predators had an outspoken Christian on the team that is not ashamed to boast of his relationship with Jesus Christ as the definition of who he is. His personal web page has his testimony as one of the primary headings.
Fisher's charity work is well documented in the Ottawa community and he has already participated locally in the "City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game" with his wife, Carrie Underwood, and fellow Predators J.P. Dumont and Wade Belak.
His web page also details his dedication to the Make a Wish Foundation, Rogers House, and Hockey Ministries International. The Mike Fisher Foundation supports his Hockey Camp and is a non-profit that serves youth hockey in Ottawa and supports local charities with 100% of the proceeds going to help others.
When Fisher was introduced to the Nashville media via conference call he spoke of what he hopes to bring to the community off the ice, "I'm excited about getting to Nashville and fitting in to the community and trying to do all I can do. I've spent some time in the city and gotten to know some great people and have a great church there. I want to try to help out as much as I can."
"I've enjoyed doing that in Ottawa. I want to be successful on the ice and win, and I want to bring a lot to the community and be a leader as much as I can in Nashville. I'm excited about that."
Success and winning are defined in many ways by different people. The people of Nashville are the big winners by the Predators bringing another professional athlete into the community that is willing to get involved in making the lives of those around him better.
Mike Fisher is a proven winner in life, both on and off the ice.
Welcome to Nashville Mike Fisher!
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
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