Nashville, Tenn. – The
Nashville Predators announced today that 17-year National
Hockey League veteran Tom Fitzgerald, who recently announced
his retirement as an NHL player, will drop the ceremonial
first puck at the Predators’ 2006-07 regular-season home
opener on Thursday, October 5 vs. the Chicago Blackhawks.
Among other highlights of opening night: a selection of fans
(drawn at random) will be invited to the ice post-game to
win the Predators’ game-worn jerseys, right off the players’
backs.
Fitzgerald, 38, was named the first captain in Nashville
Predators franchise history when he signed to play for the
expansion Predators on July 6, 1998. Over the next four
seasons (1998-2002), the Billerica, Mass. native was the
face of the franchise, wearing the captain’s “C” in a total
of 307 games and compiling 42 goals and 46 assists
(42g-46a-88pts). He will work this season as a studio
analyst for selected Boston Bruins games on New England
Sports Network (NESN).
“Tom Fitzgerald was the ideal captain to lead a new team and
give it direction, vision and identity,” said Predators
General Manager David Poile. “As a young organization, we
are looking to establish traditions of winning and of
recognizing the efforts of those – like Tom – who helped to
build the franchise with character, integrity and
leadership.”
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 During
his 17-year NHL career, Fitzgerald suited up for seven
teams. He was drafted by the New York Islanders as their
first pick, 17th overall, in the 1986 Entry Draft and
turned pro in 1988-89. He played his first full NHL season
in 1992-93 with the Islanders and went on to play with the
Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Predators,
Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and his hometown Boston
Bruins.
He retired with 139 goals and 190 assists for 329 points
and 776 penalty minutes in 1,097 career NHL regular-season
games. He added seven goals and 12 assists (7g-12a-19pts)
and 90 penalty minutes in 78 career NHL playoff contests.
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