Back in August, Mike Fisher, captain of the Nashville Predators announced his retirement at the age of 37 after helping the Predators reach the Stanley Cup final.
After 1,088 career games #Predators captain #MikeFisher retires from the NHL ππ
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Fisher and the Preds lost, but the run was incredible and it helped put Nashville on the map as a legitimate hockey city.
Fast forward to January 31st and the Predators are poised to make another deep playoff run as they sit in second place in the Central Division, three points back of the Jets entering play Wednesday night.
Rather than make any shocking changes to their team, though, Nashville did the exact opposite and stunned the hockey world with the news that broke involving Fisher.
BREAKING: #Preds expected to announce today that Mike Fisher is coming out of retirement to return as an active player (via @TSNBobMcKenzie) #TSNHockey #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/4S4jR2Lrkj
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 31, 2018
Word is Fisher was quite content in retirement but NSH reached out to him in recent weeks and planted the seed about a possible return. And here we are today, with Fisher having agreed to terms on what is believed to be a one year deal for the balance of this season.
β Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 31, 2018
No timetable on exactly when heβll be back in the NSH lineup playing games, but one would think it will be sometime between now and the Feb. 26 trade deadline/roster setting.
β Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 31, 2018
How's that for a stunning turn of events. Rarely do players who retire make comebacks (in less than a year), but Fisher clearly thinks he's got enough left in the tank to help the Preds make another run at the Cup.
As you can imagine, the hockey world was shocked by the news, but don't just take our word for it, check out some of these reactions:
What a sight. #Preds pic.twitter.com/DfSafQ1xQ3
β Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 31, 2018
When you find out Mike Fisher is coming back this season to play with the #Preds https://t.co/90M7uIaAOT #TSNHockey #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/Lq0t17i4si
β TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 31, 2018
SEE YOU AGAIN.
β Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 31, 2018
Mike Fisher is ending his retirement and will play for the #Preds this season. https://t.co/TJ3Si0jAXY
Hearing that Mike Fisher is actually on the ice at Bridgestone Arena right now. #Preds
β Justin Bradford (@justinbbradford) January 31, 2018
Welcome back @mikefisher1212 pic.twitter.com/Y3UEhsM07Q
β The Ultimate Predator (@IAmUltimatePred) January 31, 2018
When we talked about the Nashville Predators being "all in" during All Star weekend, didn't see Mike Fisher returning as part of it. Wow.
β Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 31, 2018
The @PredsNHL have announced that Mike Fisher will be coming out of retirement to rejoin the team as an active player. WOW! #Preds
β Kathryn Tappen (@KathrynTappen) January 31, 2018
So after some time away, Mike Fisher is ending his retirement to come back and play for the #Preds.
β Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) January 31, 2018
That's better than most country songs.
Hereβs video of @mikefisher1212 this morning. Itβs happening, #Smashville.
β Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) January 31, 2018
Read more: https://t.co/OwC8VgBVxd pic.twitter.com/0PHNFGNN1o
.@RyanJohansen19 was happy to see @mikefisher1212 this morning. #Preds pic.twitter.com/hqzxGIPMyD
β Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) January 31, 2018
Mike Fisher/Kyle Turris return to Ottawa a week tomorrow to face @Senators #TSNHockey https://t.co/I3GyjcbTQ3
β Sam Cicirello (@scicirello) January 31, 2018
Mike Fisher coming out of retirement for NSH is big news in Central. That pushes them over the top in the division, I think, and thatβs even before Poile does something at the deadline. May not need to anymore.
β Alex Ferrario (@FerrarioKMOX) January 31, 2018
Mike Fisher coming out of retirement π³ππ #Preds. #ilikeitiloveit
β Dawn Davenport (@DawnDavenportTN) January 31, 2018
Mike Fisher..... pic.twitter.com/AjEDHUSdoi
β Anthony Stewart (@StuMunrue) January 31, 2018
Brian Boyle is basically a lock for Masterton this year but Mike Fisher should get consideration for sacrificing time with Carrie Underwood to return to work
β Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 31, 2018
The rest of the NHL: pic.twitter.com/T9Xw3qNIaG
β nate deGrass (@AllEyezOnND) January 31, 2018
As per @TSNBobMcKenzie @mikefisher1212 is coming out of retirement to play with the @PredsNHL this season pic.twitter.com/km0ktTQAqu
β π¨SiriusXM NHL Networkπ (@SiriusXMNHL) January 31, 2018
Retirement has changed Mike Fisher a bit, it appears... pic.twitter.com/6oLAjHG7Wk
β Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisWSMV) January 31, 2018
I might cry if my boy @mikefisher1212 does actually come out of retirement. 11:30 hurry up! #GoPreds
β Brady Ray (@bray2015VFL) January 31, 2018
Mike Fisher over here retiring for half a year then realizing the Preds are playing well and coming out
β Taylor Wiley (@wileycoyotetw) January 31, 2018
MIKE FISHER OUTTA NOWHERE pic.twitter.com/3gisP0sdLC
β Devon Wheeler (@_WheelerMC) January 31, 2018
MIKE FISHER OUTTA NOWHERE pic.twitter.com/3gisP0sdLC
β Devon Wheeler (@_WheelerMC) January 31, 2018
Live look at Mike Fisher contacting Roman Josi. pic.twitter.com/gVKnsQSqVS
β Hagan (@hagan_dugan) January 31, 2018
MIKE FISHER IS COMING BACK!? HELL YES! pic.twitter.com/aMfNADxOS3
β Billy Johnston (@BillyJohnston14) January 31, 2018
Last month, Mike Fisher played on a line with Radek Bonk and Daniel Alfredsson in a 12-3 Team White win on Parliament Hill in the Sens Alumni game. Is that now in dispute Team Black member @ToddWhite28?
β Steve Lloyd (@TSNSteveLloyd) January 31, 2018
BREAKING: Welcome back from retirement!! Canβt wait to see you back on the ice in a jersey again #predspride @mikefisher1212 pic.twitter.com/V1YYNLB7zo
β argie ~ (@argieeeeee) January 31, 2018
Itβs no coincidence that @mikefisher1212 comes out of retirement after @carrieunderwood releases #TheChampion. Girl got her hubby so amped up he had to get back on the ice! *I NEED THE OFFICIAL PREDS ANNOUNCEMENT!*
β Christina Procon (@ChristinaLPro) January 31, 2018
And now @dmac_1025 and @WillyD1025 are saying @mikefisher1212 is returning!
β The Ultimate Predator (@IAmUltimatePred) January 31, 2018
Oh it's true..... pic.twitter.com/2oshRUKM34
If Mike Fisher is coming out of retirement to play, he needs to make a rafter entrance. pic.twitter.com/LGpNoEP4vQ
β Dave Anderson (@615Dave) January 31, 2018
BAH GAWD THATβS MIKE FISHERβS MUSIC
β Eric Shuff (@ericshuff) January 31, 2018
All of #Smashville to @mikefisher1212 and the @PredsNHL right now pic.twitter.com/5uMXPFBcHy
β Tara Patterson (@tpatt356) January 31, 2018
PSA: MIKE FISHER IS RETURNING TO THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS
β VictoriaArgento (@VLArgento) January 31, 2018
THIS IS NOT A DRILL PEOPLE
It's official: Mike Fisher is coming out of retirement to play for the #Preds.
β Cutler Klein (@CutlerKlein) January 31, 2018
In other words, MIKE FISHER BACK pic.twitter.com/FhzA13NfCS
Mike Fisher coming out of retirement to play for the @PredsNHL. Sports is a crazy world I tell ya. #Preds #NHL #BellLetsTalk
β Chad Dow (@chhadd) January 31, 2018
MIKE FISHER WHAT
β π₯¨ (@jacksinnermann) January 31, 2018
Mike Fisher is coming back to the #Preds and I'm not really sure what to do with myself... pic.twitter.com/BqrKhL4bNC
β Jordan (@NSHison26) January 31, 2018
Well maybe this is Nashville's trade deadline addition. And one they know well. Tremendous. https://t.co/I746zPwJXD
β Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 31, 2018
