| Full name | Michael Andrew Fisher |
|---|---|
| Born | June 5, 1980, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian-American |
| Profession | Former professional ice hockey player |
| Known for | NHL career with Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators; captain of the Nashville Predators |
| Spouse | Carrie Underwood (married July 10, 2010) |
| Children | Isaiah Michael Fisher (2015), Jacob Bryan Fisher (2019) |
| Hall of Fame | Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, inducted 2023 |
Mike Fisher spent the better part of two decades as a professional ice hockey player before retiring in 2018. He is widely recognized today as the husband of country music star Carrie Underwood, but his NHL résumé stands on its own. Fisher played over 1,000 regular-season games across two franchises, reached the Stanley Cup Final twice, and served as captain of the Nashville Predators before stepping away from the sport for good.
From Peterborough to the NHL
Michael Andrew Fisher was born on June 5, 1980, in Peterborough, Ontario. He grew up in Canada and developed into a strong enough player to attract attention from NHL scouts as a teenager. In 1998, the Ottawa Senators selected him in the second round of the NHL Draft, 44th overall.
Fisher made his NHL debut during the 1999–2000 season with Ottawa. He established himself as a two-way forward — a player valued for his defensive commitment as much as his offensive contributions — and spent the first chapter of his career with the Senators organization.
Career Highlights and What He Achieved in the NHL
Fisher’s career in Ottawa included one of the franchise’s best stretches. In 2007, he was part of the Senators team that reached the Stanley Cup Final, though Ottawa ultimately fell short of the championship. His years with the Senators built his reputation as a reliable, physical, and defensively responsible forward.
In February 2011, Ottawa traded Fisher to the Nashville Predators — a move that would define the second half of his career and eventually plant his roots in Tennessee. Nashville became his long-term home, both professionally and personally.
In September 2016, the Predators named Fisher the sixth captain in franchise history. It was a fitting recognition of his standing in the locker room and in the community. That same season, he became the 300th player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 career regular-season games — a milestone that places a player firmly in the upper tier of professional longevity.
The 2016–17 season delivered another Stanley Cup Final appearance, this time with Nashville. The Predators made a remarkable run before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fisher finished his career with 1,088 regular-season games played, 585 points, and 134 playoff games with 51 points. In 2012, he received the NHL Foundation Award, given annually to a player who applies the values of hockey to enrich his community.
Retirement and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
After the Predators’ 2017 Stanley Cup Final run, Fisher initially stepped away from the game. He returned to Nashville’s lineup in January 2018 before making his retirement official in May of that year. His professional playing career was over after roughly 17 seasons at the NHL level.
His impact on hockey and on the Nashville community was formally recognized in 2023, when Fisher was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. The honor acknowledged not just his on-ice accomplishments but also his years of charitable involvement in the region.
How Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood Met
Fisher met Carrie Underwood in 2008 through a mutual connection linked to Underwood’s band. At the time, Fisher was an established NHL player and Underwood had already become one of country music’s biggest names following her win on American Idol. The two began a relationship that moved steadily toward something permanent.
Fisher proposed in December 2009, and the couple married on July 10, 2010. Their relationship drew significant public attention given Underwood’s profile, but Fisher had built a well-documented professional career well before the two ever crossed paths.
Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood’s Family
Fisher and Carrie Underwood have two sons. Isaiah Michael Fisher was born in 2015, and Jacob Bryan Fisher arrived in 2019. Fisher has spoken publicly about fatherhood in interviews and podcast appearances, discussing the shift from a professional athlete’s schedule to life at home with young children.
The family is based in Tennessee, the state where Fisher spent the longest stretch of his playing career and where Underwood has long been rooted professionally.
Charitable Work and Life After Hockey
Fisher’s charitable involvement predates his retirement and was a meaningful part of his public identity while he was still playing. His documented affiliations include Roger’s House, Hockey Ministries International, Room In The Inn, Rocketown, I Am Second, and Danita’s Children. The NHL Foundation Award he received in 2012 reflected this record of community engagement.
Since retiring, Fisher has maintained a public presence through faith-oriented media appearances alongside Underwood. He has continued to be involved in charitable and community work, though his post-playing life has been quieter than his years in the spotlight as an active athlete.
For readers following sports, business, and public figures in the Tennessee area, coverage of Fisher’s career and post-hockey life has been documented across outlets including First Business, which covers notable figures in the region’s broader professional landscape.
Fisher’s story is a straightforward one in many respects. He was drafted as a teenager, worked his way into a long and respected NHL career, reached the sport’s biggest stage twice, and eventually settled into retirement in the state where he played his best hockey. His marriage to one of country music’s most recognizable names has kept him in public view since he hung up his skates, but his own career gave him a foundation that exists independent of that recognition.
