Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher announces retirement

Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday.

"This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but I know I've made the right one," the 37-year-old Fisher wrote in a letter published in The Tennessean on Thursday. "I've decided to retire from the NHL."

Fisher, who is married to country music star Carrie Underwood, recorded 18 goals and 24 assists in 72 games last season. He added four assists in 20 postseason contests to guide the Predators to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

"The way the city was behind us was unbelievable, and that's what makes the memory such a high -- but also bittersweet," Fisher wrote. "Can you imagine if we had a parade down Broadway?

"It's moments like that which I know I'll miss. This job I've been able to have for a majority of my life is so much fun. To help create that entertainment and to see the joy we can bring to people is such a unique and exciting opportunity. I'll miss my teammates, my coaches and the game itself."

Fisher was named Nashville's captain after defenseman Shea Weber was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2016.

"He had a big impact when he became captain in Nashville," said Buffalo Sabres coach Phil Housley, formerly an assistant with the Predators. "He was a terrific role model for young guys. He practices the right way. He carries himself the right way and he's a fierce competitor.

"One of the toughest guys to play against in my opinion, game in and game out. I think he's had a terrific career. I am really happy for him. I would be with any decision he made. He's just a terrific person and I can't say enough great things about him and his family and what he's meant for the Nashville organization."

Fisher has collected 276 goals and 309 assists in 1,088 career contests with the Ottawa Senators and Predators. He was selected by the Senators in the second round of the 1998 draft.

The Ontario native represented his native Canada on two occasions, winning the silver at the 2005 and 2009 world hockey championships.