The Dallas Stars Twitter page has announced the retirement of former Stars forward Vernon Fiddler. After 887 games played, with a tally of 104 goals and 157 assists, Fiddler will be hanging up his skates. Fiddler has spent the last 14 years playing for the NHL, his first season and last season being with the Nashville Predators in 2002-2009 and 2016-2017. In a letter to Players’ Tribune, Fiddler confirmed his retirement after 14 years in the NHL.
Vernon Fiddler Announces NHL Retirement
Fiddler first made his debut into the NHL in 2002 with the Nashville Predators where he would register a total of 4 goals and 2 assists in the 19 games he played with the Predators. For the next two years, Fiddler would bounce back and forth between the Milwaukee Admirals and Nashville Predators before playing his first official season with the Predators during the 2006-2007 season. In that season alone, he scored 11 goals with 15 assists and ended the season with a +11.
On July 1, 2009, Fiddler would sign as a free agent for the Arizona Coyotes. He would go on to record his first NHL hat trick against the Calgary Flames on November 12, 2010. Fiddler spent two seasons with the Coyotes before once again signing as a free agent with another team.
On July 1, 2011, the Dallas Stars signed Fiddler as free agent to a three-year contract and when that contract was done, he resigned with the Stars for another two years. During his time with the Stars, Fiddler scored 43 points and was alternate captain of the team from 2014-2016. He would remain with the Stars until July 1, 2016 where he would sign with the New Jersey Devils in a one-year $1.25 million free agency contract.
Things began to slow down for Fiddler as he struggled in the point game. With only 3 points in 30 games, the Devils traded Fiddler back to the Predators in an exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.
“Fidd’s Kids” Charity
While playing with the Dallas Stars , Fiddler and his wife set up a charity called “Fidd’s Kids.” The charity was inspired by the passing of Fiddler’s sister from leukemia and a way to honor her. “Fidd’s Kids” helps children battling childhood cancer get to see a Stars’ game. With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, 12 game tickets are donated by the foundation for each home game. In 2015, Fiddler was nominated by his teammates for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy. With his retirement, Fiddler promised to keep working with his foundation. If you would like to make a charitable donation, please click here.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
