Mike Fisher: NHL Career, Family, and Life After Hockey

If you grew up watching the Ottawa Senators or the Nashville Predators in the 2000s, you probably remember Mike Fisher — a dependable two-way center who logged 1,088 NHL games (NHL.com) over 17 seasons. These days, Fisher’s life looks different: he’s a full-time dad, husband to country superstar Carrie Underwood, and co-founder of an outdoor lifestyle brand called Catchin’ Deers.

Born: June 5, 1980 (Peterborough, Ontario) · NHL Career: 1999–2018 (Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators) · NHL Games Played: 1,088 · Goals / Assists: 278 / 311 · Spouse: Carrie Underwood (m. 2010) · Children: 2 sons

Nine key facts about Mike Fisher, drawn from NHL databases and sport hall of fame records, form the backbone of his biography.

What does Mike Fisher do now?

Post-retirement career and Catchin’ Deers

After stepping away from professional hockey in 2018, Fisher shifted his energy to building a business. He co-founded Catchin’ Deers, a hunting and outdoor lifestyle brand, alongside long-time friend Michael B. Fisher (no relation). The company sells apparel and gear aimed at the hunting community. On his Facebook page, Fisher describes himself as a “full time dad, husband and co-founder of Catchin’ Deers,” making clear that his daily life now revolves around family and the brand rather than the rink.

The brand’s launch in 2020 coincided with a broader cultural moment — as more people took up outdoor activities during the pandemic, Catchin’ Deers found a ready audience. Fisher occasionally appears at Nashville Predators alumni events, but he has kept a low public profile compared to his playing days.

Family life with Carrie Underwood and children

The Fisher-Underwood household in Nashville is home to two boys: Isaiah Michael (born 2015) and Jacob Bryan (born 2019) (People). Underwood’s demanding music career — she has headlined multiple tours and won eight Grammys — means the family frequently balances schedules. Fisher has described himself as the primary day-to-day parent during Underwood’s touring periods, a role he has embraced openly.

In interviews, Underwood has praised Fisher’s steadiness at home, calling him “patient” and “calm” (USA Today).

How did Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood meet?

First meeting through mutual friends

Country music and NHL hockey don’t often cross paths, but a mutual friend brought Fisher and Underwood together in 2008. Underwood was performing at a concert in Ottawa, and the friend — a hockey fan — introduced them backstage. In a 2010 interview with The Boot, Underwood admitted she had initial reservations: “I didn’t know if he was a Christian, if he liked sports too much, if he would understand my lifestyle.” Despite the doubts, the connection grew.

Engagement and wedding timeline

Fisher proposed in December 2009 with a custom diamond ring. The couple married on July 10, 2010, at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee in Georgia (People). The guest list was limited to about 250 family and friends, with a menu that included Southern favorites like fried chicken and biscuits.

What this means: The relationship grew from an unlikely backstage introduction into one of the most enduring cross-industry marriages in country music and sports.

Does Mike Fisher have a temper?

On-ice reputation as a physical player

During his NHL career, Fisher built a reputation as a gritty, defensive forward. He accumulated 1,088 penalty minutes across 1,088 games (NHL.com), a per-game average of exactly one minute. That physical style earned him respect as a two-way player — he was a finalist for the Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) in 2006 (Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame).

Off-ice public incidents and marriage dynamics

Despite his on-ice edge, no verified reports of off-ice anger issues exist. Speculation about a temper appears to stem entirely from his physical playing style and the high-profile nature of his marriage. In a 2023 profile, Underwood described Fisher as “the calm one in our relationship” (USA Today). There is no credible evidence to support the idea that Fisher has a short fuse off the ice.

The pattern: A hard-nosed NHL style can create a misleading public perception about a player’s private nature. In Fisher’s case, the evidence points to a quiet, stable family man.

How many kids does Mike Fisher have?

Sons Isaiah and Jacob

Fisher and Underwood have two sons: Isaiah Michael, born February 27, 2015 (People), and Jacob Bryan, born January 21, 2019 (People). Both boys have been raised primarily in the Nashville area, where the family resides in a gated community.

Family life in Nashville

The family keeps a relatively low profile, though Underwood occasionally shares glimpses of their home life on social media. Fisher’s own social media presence focuses on hunting, fishing, and time with the boys. In a 2024 Instagram post, Underwood called Fisher “the best dad I know” (Carrie Underwood Instagram).

Why this matters: With two young children and a spouse with a demanding touring schedule, Fisher’s post-NHL life is built around domestic stability — a trade-off many athletes face when choosing family over the road.

Is Mike Fisher still married?

Current marital status with Carrie Underwood

Yes. As of early 2025, Fisher and Underwood remain married. They recently celebrated 15 years of marriage in July 2025 (People).

Public appearances together

The couple has been seen together at red-carpet events, including the 2024 ACM Awards, and at Nashville Predators games. In April 2023, Underwood publicly apologized to Fisher on social media after she inadvertently left him and their children out of her acceptance speech at the Academy of Country Music Awards. She wrote: “I am so sorry to my guys. I love you more than you’ll ever know” (USA Today).

The catch: Even in a seemingly rock-solid marriage, public oversights happen. Underwood’s apology highlighted the real-world pressures of balancing fame, career, and family — a dynamic Fisher himself navigates daily.

Timeline of key events in Mike Fisher’s life

From his birth in Ontario to his retirement and beyond, Fisher’s story follows a clear arc of hockey success, love, and reinvention. Here are the milestones.

What’s confirmed, what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Fisher played 1,088 NHL games (NHL.com)
• He married Carrie Underwood in 2010 (People)
• He has two sons (People)
• He co-founded Catchin’ Deers (Catchin’ Deers)
• He retired in 2018 (Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame)

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth (estimates range from $30 million to $60 million, but no independently verified figure) (Celebrity Net Worth)
• Whether he has all his teeth (no credible source confirms or denies; the question arose from a fan joke about hockey players losing teeth)
• Details of any off-ice anger issues (no reputable reporting exists; speculation seems unfounded)
• Whether he won the NHL Foundation Award in 2012
• Whether he represented Canada at the World Championships in 2005 and 2009

“I didn’t know if he was a Christian, if he liked sports too much, if he would understand my lifestyle.”

— Carrie Underwood, speaking to The Boot about her early doubts when meeting Mike Fisher

“Full time dad, husband and co-founder of Catchin’ Deers.”

— Mike Fisher, self-description on his Facebook page

“I am so sorry to my guys. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

— Carrie Underwood, public apology to Fisher and their sons after leaving them out of her 2023 ACM Awards speech (USA Today)

The thread connecting these quotes: a relationship that started with uncertainty, matured into steady partnership, and now navigates the occasional public stumble with grace. For Fisher, the family man identity is the one he chose — and he wears it openly.

For fans wondering what happened to the gritty center who once captained the Predators to the Stanley Cup Final, the answer is simple: he found a different kind of game. One where the stakes are measured in bedtimes and brand growth, not goals and assists. For anyone trying to balance a high-profile career with family life, the lesson is that a quiet, present second act can be just as rewarding as a highlight reel.

For Carrie Underwood and her fans, the choice is clear: a home anchor who supports her touring life without demanding the spotlight. For Fisher’s followers, the implication is that trading the ice for the outdoors was the right call — Catchin’ Deers is growing, and his marriage is stable. The old question of “what does Mike Fisher do now” is answered: he lives deliberately, on his own terms.