Vern Fiddler is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a center in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams. He was born on May 9, 1980, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kelowna Rockets in 1997.
Fiddler played in the WHL for four seasons, during which he scored 79 goals and 107 assists in 261 games. He was then signed as an undrafted free agent by the Nashville Predators in 2002 and made his NHL debut in the same year. Fiddler played for the Predators for three seasons, during which he became known for his defensive skills and penalty-killing abilities.
In 2006, Fiddler was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, where he played for five seasons. He continued to be a reliable defensive forward for the Coyotes and was also used on the power play. In 2011, Fiddler signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent and played for the team for five seasons. He was a key player for the Stars, providing depth and leadership on and off the ice.
Fiddler was then traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2016, where he played for one season before announcing his retirement in 2017. Throughout his NHL career, Fiddler played in 877 games, scoring 104 goals and 157 assists for a total of 261 points. He was also known for his physical play and willingness to stick up for his teammates.
Off the ice, Fiddler was known for his charitable work and community involvement. He was a finalist for the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2017, which recognizes players who use their platform to make a positive impact in their communities.
In conclusion, Vern Fiddler had a successful NHL career as a reliable defensive forward and penalty killer. He played for several teams, including the Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils, and was known for his physical play and community involvement. Fiddler retired in 2017 with 877 games played and 261 points scored.
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