Mike Fisher Bids Farewell to Nashville Predators, NHL with Emotional Letter

After 17 years in the NHL, Carrie Underwood's husband Mike Fisher has decided to hang up his skates. 

Mike Fisher Bids Farewell to Nashville Predators, NHL with Emotional Letter
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT

After 17 years in the NHL, Carrie Underwood’s husband Mike Fisher has decided to hang up his skates.

In an emotional letter shared with The Tennessean, Fisher explained his decision to retire and took time to thank the city and fans for their support over the years.

“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,” he wrote.

“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,” the 37-year-old continued. “I don’t believe it came in a single instance or some aha moment, but as time passed, I gradually became certain that it was right for me to retire. I believe God gave me the ability to play hockey, and I was helped by dozens of individuals along the way, so it’s not just up to me on when it’s time to say goodbye.”

Fisher and his teammates enjoyed a record-breaking season, which brought the Nashville Predators to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time ever. The city of Nashville showed extreme pride and support for the team, something that Fisher described as “almost incomprehensible.”

“The way the city was behind us was unbelievable, and that’s what makes the memory such a high – but also bittersweet,” he said.

So what’s next for Fisher?

“I’m looking forward to a future that includes a lot more time with my family. Things change when you have kids and you have a family. They’ve supported me without question, and now it’s my turn to return the favor.”

Fisher joined the NHL in 1999, and played for the Ottawa Senators for 11 seasons. In 2010, the same year he wed Underwood, Fisher joined the Nashville Predators where he enjoyed a 7-season run.