Ex-captain Mike Fisher to end retirement, return to Predators

Former Predators captain Mike Fisher ended his retirement Wednesday, announcing that he'll return this season at an undetermined date.

"It's great to be back," Fisher said. "It always kind of bugged me, guys that came out of retirement. For whatever reason, I don't know, but I never really thought it was a possibility. After I retired, I was done, and that's what I felt like was the right decision then.

"The more I thought about it, and I really didn't decide until recently, I just thought about the opportunity, how good this team is. Thought a lot about the run last year, and what could be. Had the blessing from family and my wife (Carrie Underwood). ... I'm ready for it."

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Fisher retired in August, announcing his decision in an exclusive story for The Tennessean. He's not under contract, but intends to sign one before the Feb. 26 trade deadline that will last through the remainder of this season. 

"It's just for this year," Fisher said. "That's my plan." 

The 37-year-old remained busy in retirement, raising son Isaiah and pursuing business ventures. But the itch to return became irresistible. The Predators recently approached Fisher about a potential reunion and persuaded him to rejoin the active roster. 

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"We talked in December as a hockey group, and just shooting around ideas of what we need moving forward as you always do. Mike's name got brought up," Predators general manager David Poile said. "We reached out to Mike and there were a few conversations. ... I'm sure it was a combination of a lot of things that got Mike over the hump to make this decision. 

"But what's really important here is that he did make the decision, and he does want to come back. And he has the fire to come back, the will to come back."

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.