The Resurgence of Mike Fisher

What do Mike Fisher and the Dallas Cowboys’ Quarterback Tony Romo have in common?

They have both dated a southern, blonde haired country music singer – the former Carrie Underwood; the latter Jessica Simpson.

The difference you ask?

Fisher’s succeeding, whereas Romo crashed, burned, and many were calling for him to be run out of town.

As is the case with Fisher-Underwood, it seems to have helped him get off to his fastest start of his career – and on pace for a record season.

So far, through 22 games, Fisher has 21 points – ten of them goals – while racking up only 13 minutes in the penalty box.  His previous best was 22 goals and 48 points in 68 games back in 2006-07.

All of the praise can’t go to just Fisher’s relationship with Underwood alone, however.

Two seasons ago, during his contract year, Fisher put up 47 points in 78 games, good enough to earn him the second line center position, and a new, five-year, $21 million contract.  Fisher was finally showing the type of ability that the Senators saw when they drafted him 44th overall at the 1998 NHL entry draft.

At the end of the season however, he suffered a major knee injury on a hit from Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell, forcing him to miss the playoffs and thus start a long battle with rehab.  Declaring himself ready for the start of the next season, it took only a month and a half for Fisher to injure himself – the opposite knee from the previous year.

He managed to play through the pain, but was no where near as effective, scoring only 13 goals and 32 points in 78 games; leaving many in Ottawa wondering if he was worth the contract that he signed with the Sens.

Fisher took this as a challenge, and according to coaches had a tremendous off-season, working his tail off to get back in shape.  The effort has been noticeable already, and barring a small set-back with a recent shoulder injury, Fisher should continue to put up points even though he’s had a few different wingers play with him this season.

Even though Fisher is tight-lipped about the Underwood situation, he told The Ottawa Citizen towards the end of last season that he attributes where he’s gone in hockey to another external force – Jesus Christ.

In something that is seen more with Football players, Fisher is a dedicated Christian, and is not afraid to let people know it.

On the inside of the rubber grip on his stick, Fisher has written a verse from the bible, Rom 12:12, which refers to Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer,” meaning that be happy for all that God is planning for you.

Fisher told the paper that he feels that God is a big part of his life, especially on hockey related matters.

“Sometimes,you go through struggles on the ice, and it’s just to keep things focused on God,” he told the paper.  “Things seem to make a little more sense.”

Whatever the reason, it seems as though Fisher is finally healthy, is getting more ice-time, and is settling into his role as one of the leaders on the Senators; a team that also needs more scoring with the departure of the most popular man in Ottawa Dany Heatley.

With the Sens visiting the Shark tank tonight, it marks the first time that Heatley will face his former mates in battle since leaving.

Ottawa fans will hopefully get their revenge, and continued proof that Fisher was worth the big money contract.

For OpenIceHockey, I’m Jesse Michael