mike fisherMike Fisher Biography: NHL Career, Carrie Underwood Marriage, Kids, and Life Now

Mike Fisher is best known as an NHL center who became a fan favorite in two hockey cities—Ottawa and Nashville—then stayed in the public eye as Carrie Underwood’s husband. But his story isn’t just “pro athlete marries superstar.” It’s a long career built on effort, leadership, and gritty two-way play, followed by a quieter life focused on faith, family, and philanthropy.

Who is Mike Fisher?

Mike Fisher (full name Michael Andrew Fisher) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators. He was drafted by Ottawa in the second round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and played in the league from 1999 to 2018.

On the ice, Fisher was known as a reliable center with a physical edge—strong in the faceoff circle, willing to block shots, and comfortable doing the “dirty work” that doesn’t always show up in highlight reels but wins games over an 82-game season.

Early life and the path to the NHL

Fisher was born June 5, 1980, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He developed through the Ontario hockey pipeline and played major junior hockey with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL, where his combination of size, competitiveness, and all-around game made him a legitimate NHL prospect.

When Ottawa drafted him 44th overall in 1998, he wasn’t touted as a flashy, purely offensive star. Instead, he projected as the kind of center coaches love: strong, responsible, and hard to play against—someone who could grow into leadership as his game matured.

Ottawa Senators years

Fisher made his NHL debut in October 1999 with the Ottawa Senators and spent more than a decade with the franchise. He became part of Ottawa’s identity during the 2000s, a period when the team was competitive, physical, and built to win in the playoffs.

His value in Ottawa was often about balance. He could contribute offensively, but he was especially appreciated for the tough matchups: taking key faceoffs, playing in critical defensive situations, and setting an emotional tone with his physicality. In a market that respects hard-nosed, honest hockey, Fisher became exactly the kind of player fans rally behind.

The Nashville trade that changed everything

In 2011, Fisher was traded to the Nashville Predators, a move that ended up reshaping his personal and professional life. Nashville gained a veteran center with leadership qualities, and Fisher stepped into a team culture that was still establishing its long-term identity in the league.

In Nashville, he became more than a contributor—he became a tone-setter. The Predators leaned into a style that valued structure, effort, and defensive accountability, and Fisher fit that blueprint naturally. He wasn’t a “look at me” star. He was the kind of leader who made your lineup harder to break.

Captaincy and the 2017 Stanley Cup Final run

Fisher’s leadership role became official when he was named captain of the Nashville Predators in 2016. That captaincy mattered because the Predators were building toward something bigger, and they needed a steady voice in a hockey market that was growing rapidly.

In 2017, Nashville went on the deepest playoff run in franchise history, reaching the Stanley Cup Final. Fisher was part of the leadership core in that run, and his captaincy became one of the defining storylines of “Smashville” hockey at its peak.

Even if you didn’t watch every game, you probably remember the feel of it: a city that fully bought in, a team playing with belief, and Fisher standing at the center of that identity—calm, competitive, and built for playoff intensity.

Retirement, return, and final NHL goodbye

Fisher initially announced his retirement in August 2017, then later returned to the Predators in early 2018 for another run. His comeback had a specific vibe: not a “can’t let go of fame” move, but a competitor’s choice to help a team he cared about.

By 2018, Fisher’s NHL playing career ended for good, closing a professional chapter that spanned nearly two decades. The story of his retirement is part of why fans respect him: he didn’t drag it out endlessly. He stepped away, came back when it felt meaningful, and then moved on.

Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood: how they met

Mike Fisher is married to country music superstar Carrie Underwood. They met in 2008 through a behind-the-scenes introduction after one of her concerts. Their relationship started long-distance—Underwood based around Nashville and Fisher still tied to the NHL grind—so it wasn’t a “celebrity couple that’s always together” situation from day one.

They got engaged in December 2009 and married on July 10, 2010, in Georgia. Even though the wedding was high-profile by nature of who they are, their approach to marriage afterward has been surprisingly low-drama: selective sharing, minimal spectacle, and a consistent focus on family life.

Do Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood have kids?

Yes. Fisher and Underwood have two sons: Isaiah (born 2015) and Jacob (born 2019). They’ve shared occasional family updates publicly, but they’ve also worked hard to keep their children’s lives from becoming constant content.

That privacy choice is a big reason people keep searching about them. The public knows the basics, but they don’t see every moment—which is probably exactly how the couple prefers it.

Faith, philanthropy, and what matters to him off the ice

One consistent theme in Fisher’s public life is that he speaks openly about faith and service. Over the years, he’s been associated with charitable efforts and causes connected to children and community support, and he has discussed mentoring and mission-minded work in interviews.

He and Underwood have also supported fundraising for children’s-focused organizations. If you’re looking for the “what’s he like when the helmet is off?” answer, it’s usually some version of this: family-first, faith-forward, and more interested in meaningful impact than headlines.

Life after hockey: what Mike Fisher does now

After retirement, Fisher’s public presence shifted into a more casual lane—less “sports media personality,” more “family man with occasional projects.” One widely discussed example is his involvement with a humorous outdoor and hunting lifestyle brand called Catchin’ Deers, which gained attention partly because it playfully connected to Underwood’s music persona.

That kind of project fits his post-NHL image: fun, low-pressure, and rooted in the lifestyle he seems to genuinely enjoy—outdoors, faith, family, and community.

Quick facts about Mike Fisher

• Full name: Michael Andrew Fisher
• Born: June 5, 1980 (Peterborough, Ontario, Canada)
• NHL teams: Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators
• Draft: 44th overall, 1998 NHL Entry Draft
• Married to: Carrie Underwood (married July 10, 2010)
• Children: Two sons (born 2015 and 2019)