After years of hard work in pee-wee, junior and college hockey, graduating senior goaltender Glenn Fisher signed a one-year contract with his hometown team, the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL, on May 8.
“It is pretty special to me and my family. Being from Edmonton and growing up watching the Oilers and my parents were season ticket holders for a long part of my life.”
Fisher was originally drafted in the fifth round (148th overall pick) in the 2002 NHL entry draft by the Oilers.
Unlike other Pioneers in the past few years, who have decided to turn pro before graduating, an education to Fisher was priceless.
“Before I even came here, getting a degree from the University meant a lot to myself and it was another one of my goals I wanted to achieve before I went on to pursue a pro hockey career.”
His pro hockey career will begin June 3-8, when Fisher will attend the Oilers spring camp for all newcomer players of the organization. The 6’1,” 190-pound goaltender will then spend a summer training and working out. Fisher will return to Edmonton in September for the main training camp. After training camp, the organization will then tell him where he will be spending his first year of professional hockey. It will most likely be with the minor league Stockton Thunder of the East Coast Hockey League.
“It is just another step forward in my dream of playing in the NHL. It means a lot to me, it is special, I am taking nothing for granted and working hard to stay at this point.”
This step comes after spending four years at DU, winning two national championships, compiling a 39-22-6 record, 2.71 goals against average, .900 save percentage and four shutouts all in 75 career games.
“I think the development I have received at the University of Denver has been priceless. From the strength and conditioning coach to Seth Appert to Coach Gwozdecky, I wouldn’t change anything.”
This past season Fisher was named MVP of the team after finishing with a 13-9-2 record, career best 2.32 GAA and .919 save percent.
Not only has Fisher excelled on the ice during his DU career, but also in the classroom were he was named one of the 10 finalists in the nation for this year’s inaugural Lowe’s Senior Class Award for classroom, character and community along with performance on the ice. This season, Fisher received his third consecutive WCHA All-Academic honor and second consecutive WCHA scholar-athlete award.
It has been a four-year college career that the Edmonton Oilers are excited to have in their organization.
“They like how I have developed over the four years here, and they are happy with me and want me to keep that up. I just signed a one-year contract, so nothing is guaranteed, so play well and develop well and they will re-sign me hopefully.”
The transition from college hockey to the NHL is no easy one and will take lots of hard work on the part of Fisher.
“When you move up a level in hockey, it is always tough to adjust at first. That is why the NHL is what it is. You just got to work hard in the off-season and put yourself in a position to work at that level.”
We have seen former Pioneers Matt Carle and Paul Stastny make the quick jump as a defenseman and forward, respectively, to the NHL and succeed immediately. We have also seen former DU goaltenders Adam Berkhoel and Wade Dubielewicz spend a couple years in the minors before making the advance to the NHL, showing how hard it is to be a goalie in the “big show.”
“I think it is tougher going up a level for goaltenders than any other position. Goaltenders take longer to mature because of it, and the average age for a goalie to break into the NHL is 24 to 26, so that says it right there,” said Fisher.
It has been a four-year career that neither Fisher nor the Pioneers will soon forget, and a career that will hopefully lead to the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
