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Jiri Fischer Working Hard For The Wings
by Paul on 07/22/09 at 06:49 AM ET
Comments (21)
from Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News,
These days, it seems, the hockey never stops. The Red Wings, just off the awesome disappointment of losing the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals, are engaged in work integral to their future.
It is obvious even from a distance that one of those supervising the earnest wanna-bes towers over everyone else. It is a vision of what might have been: a huge defenseman, gliding easily along the ice with purpose and poise. His overwhelming size and evident self-possession set him apart from the rest.
But Jiri Fischer wears the gray sweats, this summer, at camps for prospects and youths—not a red-and-white jersey bearing the number “2.” And he skates with a whistle, not shoulder pads, around his neck.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Jiri+Fischer,
Comments
I was at the game when he collapsed on the bench. Nobody had any clue what was going on, but when Stevie and Shanny led his fiancee across the ice, we were pretty sure that was it. It didn’t look good at all, and I was convinced something extremely bad had either already happened or was about to. I’m just glad he can still lead a healthy life, even though his playing days are clearly over. The way the Wings have taken care of him, and the way he’s still contributing to the organization, is further proof that Wings fans are lucky to have the best organization in pro sports.
Posted by Incognetis from Delaware... Hi... I'm in... Delaware on 07/22/09 at 08:29 AM ET
Clearly - this is why the Wings are the class of the NHL, and can attract a lot of free agents. After it was clear he would be ok, most teams would have paid out the insurance on his contract, said thanks, and we’ll see you at team reunions. Not the Wings. They treat their players with a lot of class.
Having said that - linking to the pictures in the story - does Fischer look, well…. green? What sort of color is that? Someone get him a better bronzer.
Posted by CJBear71 on 07/22/09 at 08:53 AM ET
does Fischer look, well…. green?
Dude, he’s just a little envious of the young players…
Posted by Garth on 07/22/09 at 09:16 AM ET
28 years old… he’d really just stepping into his prime years too damnit.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 07/22/09 at 09:53 AM ET
That’s one of the games I will never forget watching. I remember being unhappy that the Wings weren’t playing well and all of a sudden the whistle blew and the camera went to the Wings’ bench. I thought they were being assessed a too-many-men call, but it didn’t take long to realize there was something much worse going on. The Nashville announcers were quick to pick up on it. I was terrified for him. Now, I’m glad to see that he’s ok and still as close to the playing surface as he possibly can be. He was supposed to be somebody great for the Red Wings. Turns out, he still is.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/22/09 at 09:54 AM ET
He was supposed to be somebody great for the Red Wings. Turns out, he still is.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/22/09 at 10:54 AM ET
That’s a great quote, J.J. Mind if I borrow it?
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/22/09 at 10:08 AM ET
That’s a great quote, J.J. Mind if I borrow it?
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/22/09 at 11:08 AM ET
Thanks, Drew. Borrow away!
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/22/09 at 10:15 AM ET
I wonder if, after his playing career was over in 10 years or so (if his health wasn’t as issue) if he would have been inclined to even think about a job like this - or if, with a much greater age difference between him and the prospects, he would have been as good at it or enjoyed it as much as he clearly does. After spending a long career travelling a job with the organization that involved a lot more travelling might not have appealed to him at all.
This could be the best thing that could ever have happened to him - the potential for a long hockey career, without any of the “getting beaten up night after night” part of it. He’s a very lucky man.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/22/09 at 10:48 AM ET
This is why I respect Baroque. His comments don’t just deal with the obvious situations of a topic .He goes deep into the matter and thinks about it. Then give an insightful commentary. ‘Atta boy, Baroque.
Posted by Lindas1st on 07/22/09 at 11:07 AM ET
My bad. Apologies.
How ironic, I’m a HE . Lindas1st- is a reference to being my mother’s oldest child. Alot of people see “Linda” an assume i’m a female.
Posted by Lindas1st on 07/22/09 at 11:13 AM ET
Oh yeah. Thanx for setting me straight Paul.
Posted by Lindas1st on 07/22/09 at 11:14 AM ET
Thank you for the compliment, Lindas1st. That is very sweet of you.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/22/09 at 11:17 AM ET
And that’s okay - I don’t take any offense to being assumed to be the wrong gender on the internet. When you like sports, it kind of goes along with the territory. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/22/09 at 11:18 AM ET
“Atta Girl” .
Posted by Lindas1st on 07/22/09 at 11:23 AM ET
How ironic, I’m a HE . Lindas1st- is a reference to being my mother’s oldest child. Alot of people see “Linda” an assume i’m a female.
Posted by Lindas1st on 07/22/09 at 12:13 PM ET
Well Linda, if it doesn’t offend then I’d just like to keep doing it if it’s alright with you. Call me a creature of habit.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/22/09 at 11:39 AM ET
Animal, whatever floats your boat.
Posted by Lindas1st on 07/22/09 at 11:46 AM ET
If his heart condition wouldn’t have occurred, we wouldn’t have been able to trade away Quincey for Stuart. Assume Fischer is still in the lineup:
Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Fischer
Ericsson-Lilja
with Lebda possibly rotating in there somewhere.
[sigh]
And then the potentially awesome sight of 6’6” Fischer manning the blue with 6’5” (at least that’s what I heard) Ericsson on the PK. That would’ve made Uncle Mike go nuts.
Anyway, the Wings devotion to their players is testimony to Mike and Marian Ilitch. Wings fans are just blessed to have truly caring owners.
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/22/09 at 01:49 PM ET
If his heart condition wouldn’t have occurred, we wouldn’t have been able to trade away Quincey for Stuart.
We traded a 2nd and 4th round pick to LA to acquire Stuart. The fact that LA signed Quincy from us was a co-incidence. Perhaps you meant as in “we couldn’t afford to keep Quincy because we got Stuart” as a trade-off…and if so, be more careful with your lingo 
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/22/09 at 02:11 PM ET
[facepalms]
Thanks, Drew. Bastard…
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/22/09 at 02:13 PM ET
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Just another reason why the Red Wings are the Gold Standard when it comes to team sport organIzations.
Give this man (Fisher) the Masterson right now!! That’s dedication to hockey!!
Posted by Lindas1st on 07/22/09 at 08:18 AM ET