Vernon Fiddler

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1980)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=May 2017}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | image = Vernon Fiddler - Dallas Stars.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = Fiddler with the Dallas Stars in 2014 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|5|9}} | birth_place = Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 205 | position = Centre/Left wing | shoots = Left | played_for = Nashville Predators<br>Phoenix Coyotes<br/>Dallas Stars<br>New Jersey Devils | draft = Undrafted | career_start = 2001 | career_end = 2017 }}

'''Vernon Fiddler''' (born May 9, 1980) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.

==Playing career== thumb|left|Fiddler in 2009 Undrafted, Fiddler played in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets and the Medicine Hat Tigers before turning pro in 2001. As a free agent, Fiddler played the 2001–02 season with the Roanoke Express of the ECHL and the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

On May 6, 2002, Fiddler was signed by the Nashville Predators and was assigned to affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He later made his NHL debut with the Predators in November 2002, and played 19 NHL games during the 2002–03 season.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://sports.yahoo.com/news/cole-scores-pair-stars-beat-055312042--nhl.html | title = Cole scores pair as Stars beat Predators | work = Yahoo! Sports | date = 2013-01-02 | access-date = 2014-02-03}}</ref> In the 2003–04 season Fiddler helped the Admirals win the Calder Cup. Fiddler spent the next 2 years playing between the Predators and the Admirals before playing his first full NHL season in 2006–07.

On July 1, 2009, after playing 305 games for the Predators, Fiddler signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes. He recorded his first career NHL hat trick on November 12, 2010, against Miikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/vernon-fiddler-has-first-nhl-hat-trick-coyotes-beat-flames-5-4|title=Vernon Fiddler has first NHL hat trick, Coyotes beat Flames 5-4|agency=The Canadian Press|work=The Hockey News|access-date=2017-03-22|language=en-CA}}</ref>

Fiddler signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent to a three-year contract on July 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Free Agent Tracker |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880 |work=The Sports Network |access-date=1 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629095253/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref>

On July 2, 2014, after testing free-agency, Fiddler re-signed with the Stars on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/stars-sign-vernon-fiddler-to-two-year-contract.html/ | title = Stars sign Vernon Fiddler; also sign Brendan Ranford to entry-level deal | newspaper = Dallas News | date = 2014-07-02 | access-date = 2014-07-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140707043347/http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/stars-sign-vernon-fiddler-to-two-year-contract.html/ | archive-date = 2014-07-07 | url-status = dead }}</ref> During his tenure with the Stars, Fiddler immersed himself amongst the leadership group as an alternate captain.

On February 29, 2016, Fiddler played in his 800th regular season NHL game. Fiddler assisted on Dallas's first goal and later scored the tying goal with 1:31 left in the third period to send the game into overtime. Fiddler and the Stars would go on to lose 3-2 in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://thehockeywriters.com/interview-with-a-grinder-vernon-fiddler/|title=Interview with a Grinder: Vernon Fiddler|date=2016-03-04|work=The Hockey Writers|access-date=2017-03-22|language=en-US}}</ref> At the time, Fiddler was one of two active undrafted players who have played in 800 career NHL games, the other being Alexandre Burrows.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/03/05/heika-arkansas-roanoke-stars-vernon-fiddlers-strange-road-100-career-goals|title=Stars center Vernon Fiddler passing career milestones with same determination that landed him in the NHL|date=2016-03-05|work=SportsDay|access-date=2017-03-22|language=en}}</ref> Fiddler scored his 100th career NHL goal on March 4, 2016, as a member of the Dallas Stars. The empty net goal came in a win against the New Jersey Devils.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defendingbigd.com/2016/3/8/11171298/vern-fiddler-providing-subtle-excellence-for-dallas-stars|title=Vern Fiddler Providing Subtle Excellence For Stars|date=2016-03-08|website=Defending Big D|access-date=2017-03-22}}</ref>

On July 1, 2016, after five seasons with the Stars, Fiddler signed a one-year $1.25 million free agent contract with the New Jersey Devils.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888417 | title = Fiddler signs one-year deal with the Devils | publisher = New Jersey Devils | date = 2016-07-01 | access-date = 2016-07-01}}</ref> In the 2016–17 season, Fiddler struggled to find his offensive game as the Devils' fourth-line centre. Having contributed just 3 points in 39 games, he was traded by the Devils, back to the Predators in exchange for a 4th-round pick in the 2017 draft on February 4, 2017.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/news/fiddler-traded-to-nashville/c-286441764 | title = Vernon Fiddler traded to Predators by Devils | publisher = National Hockey League | date = 2017-02-04 | access-date = 2017-02-04}}</ref><ref name="si"/>

At the age of 37, Fiddler announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in a Players Tribune article.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/vernon-fiddler-nhl-retirement|title=Canadian Born, Texas Taught {{!}} By Vernon Fiddler|website=The Players' Tribune|date=14 September 2017 |language=en-us|access-date=2018-03-26}}</ref> Fiddler ended his career having played playing a total of 877 games in the NHL with 104 goals and 157 assists, for a total of 261 points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/2007/vernon-fiddler|title=Vernon Fiddler|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2018-03-26}}</ref>

==Retirement== Now retired, Fiddler has moved to Texas with his wife Chrissy and their two children, Blake and Bella.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2017/09/13/vernon-fiddler-found-perfect-balance-boys-game-war-ice|title=Retiring Vernon Fiddler found the perfect balance between a boy's game and a war on ice|date=2017-09-13|work=SportsDay|access-date=2018-03-26|language=en}}</ref> Fiddler is doing charity work with the Stars Foundation and is also helping out the Dallas Stars with any work they ask of him.<ref name=":2" /> Fiddler has also helped coach his son's hockey team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/qa-in-first-fall-since-retirement-vernon-fiddler-enjoying-time-away/c-293002570|title=Q+A: In first fall since retirement, Fiddler enjoying time away|website=NHL.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-26}}</ref> For the 2019-20 season, Fiddler was an assistant coach with the Kelowna Rockets, a junior hockey team in the Western Hockey League based in British Columbia, Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kelowna Rockets host 2019-20 Memorial Cup |url=https://kelownarockets.com/ |website=Kelowna Rockets |date=12 October 2019}}</ref> The Kelowna Rockets hosted the 2019-20 Memorial Cup. Fiddler did not return to the Rockets after the 2020-21 season and moved back to Dallas to spend more time with family.

==Community involvement== Throughout his NHL career, Fiddler has been involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a way to honour his sister who died from leukemia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/starsheadlines/2015/04/15/stars-announce-vernon-fiddler-is-teams-nominee-for-king-clancy-trophy|title=Stars announce Vernon Fiddler is team's nominee for King Clancy Trophy {{!}} SportsDay|date=2015-04-15|work=SportsDay|access-date=2017-03-22|language=en}}</ref> He and his wife, Chrissy, created a children's foundation called "Fidd's Kids." Fiddler created the foundation while playing for the Dallas Stars. Through a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, the foundation donates 12 tickets to each home game to local children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-forward-vernon-fiddler-reunites-with-biggest-fan/c-283754576|title=Vernon Fiddler of Devils reunites with biggest fan|website=NHL.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-03-22}}</ref> In 2015, Fiddler was voted by his teammates as their nominee for the National Hockey League's King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The annual award goes to the player "who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."<ref name=":0" />

In 2018, Fiddler was named the Man of the Year by the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He and his team raised over $167,000 in a ten-week period for blood cancer research and patient services in memory of his sister, Erin Dionne Fiddler. His sister's name was linked to a national Leukemia & Lymphoma Society research grant.

==Native heritage== Fiddler is of Métis descent and, at the time of his retirement, was one of 9 NHL players with Native roots.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mytoba.ca/sports/talented-group-of-aboriginal-stars-to-play-in-nhl-this-year/|title=Talented group of aboriginal stars to play in NHL this year - MyToba.ca News|date=2014-09-24|work=MyToba.ca News|access-date=2017-03-22|language=en-US}}</ref> Fiddler is also one of 70 total Indigenous athletes to ever play in the NHL and is the 13th of Metis descent to play in the NHL.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/edmonton-man-collects-cards-70-indigenous-players-skate-nhl-004243315.html|title=Edmonton man collects cards of all 70 indigenous players to skate in NHL|access-date=2018-03-26|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nativehockey.com/nhl/|title=NHL|date=2015-10-27|work=Native Hockey|access-date=2018-03-26|language=en-US}}</ref> Fiddler is a member of the Métis Museum along with current and former NHL players Arron Asham, Rene Bourque, Brad Chartrand, Ronald Delorme, Magnus Flett, Roderick Flett, Dwight King, Vic Mercredi, Richard Pilon, Wade Redden, Sheldon Souray, and Francis St. Marseille.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.metismuseum.ca/media/db/11993|title=Metis Hockey Players|last=Barkwell|first=Lawrence|website=metismuseum.ca|access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref>

==Family== Fiddler is the son of Bob. He is married to Chrissy Fiddler and the couple has two children, son Blake, born July 2007 in Nashville,<ref name="si">{{cite magazine|last1=Prewitt|first1=Alex|title=Vernon Fiddler's return to Nashville brings a shot at the Cup with the Predators|url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2017/05/17/vernon-fiddler-nashville-predators-return-stanley-cup|access-date=May 22, 2017|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=May 17, 2017}}</ref> and daughter Bella.<ref name=":1" /> Blake was selected 36th overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2025 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/kraken-trade-up-to-draft-defenseman-blake-fiddler-ft |title=Kraken Trade Up To Draft Defenseman Blake Fiddler |website=NHL.com |date=June 28, 2025 |access-date=June 28, 2025}}</ref>

==Career statistics== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- ALIGN="centre" | 1997–98 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 65 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 31 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1998–99 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 68 | 22 | 21 | 43 | 82 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 |- ALIGN="centre" | 1999–00 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 64 | 20 | 28 | 48 | 60 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2000–01 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2000–01 | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | 67 | 33 | 38 | 71 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2000–01 | Arkansas RiverBlades | ECHL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 |- ALIGN="centre" | 2001–02 | Roanoke Express | ECHL | 44 | 27 | 28 | 55 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2001–02 | Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 38 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |- ALIGN="centre" | 2002–03 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 54 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 70 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2002–03 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 19 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2003–04 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 47 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 72 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 36 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2003–04 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2004–05 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 73 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 70 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2005–06 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 11 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2005–06 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 40 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2006–07 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 72 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |- ALIGN="centre" | 2007–08 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 79 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 47 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2008–09 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 78 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2009–10 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 76 | 8 | 22 | 30 | 46 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2010–11 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 71 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |- ALIGN="centre" | 2011–12 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 82 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 60 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2012–13 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 46 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2013–14 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 76 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 37 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 24 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014–15 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 80 | 13 | 16 | 29 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2015–16 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 82 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 31 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 |- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016–17 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 39 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — |- ALIGN="centre" | 2016–17 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 25 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 877 ! 104 ! 157 ! 261 ! 558 ! 51 ! 5 ! 8 ! 13 ! 75 |}

==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | colspan="3" | AHL |- | Calder Cup (Milwaukee Admirals) | 2004 | |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Ice hockey stats|nhl=8469759|elite=9152|espn=|euro=|hr=f/fiddlve01|hockeydb=31148|legendsm=|legends=|legendstype=|tsn=}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fiddler, Vernon}} Category:1980 births Category:Arkansas RiverBlades players Category:Canadian ice hockey centres Category:Dallas Stars coaches Category:Dallas Stars players Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Category:Kelowna Rockets players Category:Living people Category:Medicine Hat Tigers players Category:Métis sportspeople Category:Milwaukee Admirals players Category:Nashville Predators players Category:New Jersey Devils players Category:Norfolk Admirals players Category:Phoenix Coyotes players Category:Roanoke Express players Category:Ice hockey people from Edmonton Category:Undrafted National Hockey League players Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen