NHL to Donate $25,000 to Room In The Inn

Nashville Predators forward Mike Fisher is the recipient of the 2011-12 NHL Foundation Player Award. The award recognizes an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey -- commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- to enrich the lives of people in his community. The NHL Foundation will present $25,000 to the Room In The Inn, a full-service homeless facility located a few blocks from Bridgestone Arena.

Since coming to Nashville in February 2011, Fisher has developed strong relationships with a number of non-profit organizations: Room In the Inn; Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Cottage Cove Urban Ministries, a Nashville based non-profit organization that serves inner-city youth. Fisher donated $55,000 to Cottage Cove to purchase a van for the youth center and renovate its music room. Fisher not only has given additional substantial financial contributions, other donations and made unannounced visits but also has purchased tickets for the Fisher’s Friends ticket program for youth organizations. In September 2011, Fisher released Defender of Faith: The Mike Fisher Story, a book highlighting his faith journey that was written for 9-11 year olds. All sales benefit World Vision, with autographed copies at Bridgestone Arena raising money for Room In the Inn. Fisher and his wife also are seen at various charity fundraisers in the Middle Tennessee area, including events for The Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s and Rocketown. Fisher also is an annual participant in the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation program.

NHL Clubs submitted nominations for the NHL Foundation Player Award and the finalists were selected by a judging panel. Other finalists for this year’s honor were Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles and New York Islanders forward Matt Moulson.