Vernon Fiddler
Vernon Fiddler | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1980 Canada |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey centre (former) |
| Years active | 2001–2017 |
| Known for | NHL player for Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils |
Vernon Fiddler (born May 9, 1980) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who competed in the National Hockey League representing the Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils.
Playing career
Although undrafted, Fiddler developed his skills in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets and Medicine Hat Tigers before embarking on his professional journey in 2001. As an unrestricted free agent, he spent the 2001–02 season playing for both the Roanoke Express (ECHL) and Norfolk Admirals (AHL).
On May 6, 2002, Fiddler inked a contract with the Nashville Predators and was subsequently assigned to their minor league affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He made his NHL debut in November 2002, participating in 19 games throughout the 2002–03 campaign. The following season, 2003–04, saw Fiddler contribute to the Admirals’ Calder Cup championship. He alternated between the Predators and Admirals until securing a full-time NHL roster spot during the 2006–07 season.
After appearing in 305 contests with Nashville, Fiddler signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 1, 2009. He achieved his first NHL hat trick on November 12, 2010, against goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames.
Fiddler joined the Dallas Stars as a free agent on July 1, 2011, agreeing to a three-year contract. Following free agency in 2014, he re-committed to Dallas with a two-year extension. Throughout his tenure there, he held an alternate captaincy role and was a key figure within the team’s leadership core.
On February 29, 2016, Fiddler reached a milestone by playing his 800th NHL game, during which he both assisted and scored to send the contest into overtime against the Detroit Red Wings. At that point in time, he was among only two active undrafted players to have surpassed 800 NHL appearances. He netted his 100th career NHL goal on March 4, 2016, by scoring into an empty net versus the New Jersey Devils.
Following five seasons with Dallas, Fiddler signed a one-year deal worth $1.25 million with the New Jersey Devils on July 1, 2016. During the 2016–17 season, he tallied three points over 39 games before being traded back to Nashville in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on February 4, 2017.
At age 37, Fiddler announced his retirement from professional hockey on September 13, 2017. His career totals include participation in 877 NHL games and accumulation of 104 goals alongside 157 assists for a total of 261 points.
Retirement
Since retiring, Fiddler has settled in Texas with his wife Chrissy and their two children. He remains engaged in philanthropic endeavors through involvement with the Stars Foundation while maintaining ties to the Dallas Stars franchise. Additionally, he has taken on coaching responsibilities for his son’s hockey team. For the 2019–20 season, Fiddler served as an assistant coach for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League based in British Columbia. After completing the 2020–21 season with Kelowna, he returned to Dallas to prioritize family commitments.
Community involvement
Throughout his NHL career, Fiddler actively supported the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in tribute to his sister who succumbed to leukemia. Together with his wife, he established "Fidd's Kids," a charitable organization that collaborates with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas to provide twelve tickets for each Dallas Stars home game to local children. In recognition of his leadership and humanitarian efforts, Fiddler was nominated by his team for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2015.
In 2018, he received the Man of the Year award from the North Texas Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society after raising more than $167,000 dedicated to blood cancer research and patient support programs honoring his sister Erin Dionne Fiddler. Her legacy is perpetuated through a national research grant administered by the Society.
Native heritage
Fiddler proudly traces his lineage to the Métis people and, upon retiring, was counted among nine NHL players with Indigenous ancestry. He is one of approximately 70 Indigenous athletes who have competed in the NHL and ranks as the 13th player of Métis heritage. His legacy is recognized at the Métis Museum, where he is honored alongside both current and former NHL players like Arron Asham, Rene Bourque, Dwight King, and Wade Redden.
Family
Bob Fiddler is married to Chrissy Fiddler, and together they have two children: a son named Blake, born in July 2007 in Nashville, and a daughter named Bella. Blake was chosen 36th overall by the Seattle Kraken during the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Career statistics
... [Statistics continue in original format] ...| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1997–98 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 65 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 31 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1998–99 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 68 | 22 | 21 | 43 | 82 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 1999–00 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 64 | 20 | 28 | 48 | 60 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2000–01 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | 67 | 33 | 38 | 71 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 ECHL season | Arkansas RiverBlades | ECHL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | ||
| NHL totals | 877 | 104 | 157 | 261 | 558 | 51 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 75 | ||||
Awards and honours
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| (AHL) | |
| 2004 | |