Fischer to Participate On Ice in Charity Event

[40#1Fan 0]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...turning_to.html

An automatic external defibrillator helped save Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer's life when he collapsed during a game nearly three years ago.

On Saturday, the hockey champion will make his first public appearance on the ice since his heart stopped beating. He will raise money to bring devices like the one that revived him to rinks, schools and nonprofit agencies across mid-Michigan.

Fischer will join doctors and paramedics in a 5 p.m. charity hockey game at The Dow Event Center's Wendler Arena, 303 Johnson, Saginaw.

"This is the first time Jiri has played in a game since he collapsed, and we're honored he chose to do it in Saginaw," said Saginaw Spirit President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin.

Organizers include Saginaw-based Michigan CardioVascular Institute Foundation and Mobile Medical Response, and the Ontario Hockey League's Spirit. Players from MVCI and MMR will square off for "Shocks and Saves."

"We feel we'll raise anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 for Jiri's foundation," Goslin said. "Jiri will play half the game for the Shocks and half for the Saves."

Fischer's Healthy Hope Foundation is the beneficiary.

The Spirit's 7:11 p.m. game against the Windsor Spitfires follows the contest. Buy $10 tickets, at the Spirit office, 5789 State, through 5 p.m. Friday or TheDow Event Center box office. They include admission to the Spirit game.

Fischer, from the Czech Republic, was a first-round draft choice in 1998 and skated with the Red Wings as they won their 2002 Stanley Cup. He remains a member of the team, though he hasn't played in a game since his collapse.

Dr. Anthony Colucci, Red Wings team physician and a representative of the Healthy Hope Foundation, was at Fischer's side directing a team of medics who used a defibrillator to shock Fischer's heart back into operation when he collapsed on the bench after a routine turn on the ice during a Nov. 21, 2005, game against the Nashville Predators at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.

Colucci said he'll attend Saturday's game "to keep an eye on him."

The defibrillators cost about $2,000 each, but with a discount from the manufacturer through Healthy Hope, $15,000 already donated will buy at least 15 units for the region, said Diane M. Fong, cq executive director of the MCVI foundation. Priority for placement will go to ice arenas, in keeping with Fischer's mission, and then to schools and other agencies, she said.

Fischer visited Saginaw and signed autographs in December to raise money for his foundation, Fong said. There, he met Dr. Peter G. Fattal, an invasive cardiologist with MCVI and an MCVI Foundation board member, and hatched the idea for the game, she said.

At the time, Fischer hadn't decided to play. He recently decided to make his hockey comeback in Saginaw, Goslin said.

In addition to the charity game, those who attend may participate in a free health screening from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at TheDow. Colucci and Fattal will talk about heart health awareness in the Blue Line Club after the Shocks and Saves game, prior to the Spirit contest.

Also taking part in the charity game are Don Edwards, winner of the annual Vezina trophy to the National Hockey League's top goalie, now general manager of the Saginaw Spirit, and Warren Rychel, a retired NHL player and former Saginaw Hawk who is vice president and general manager of the Windsor Spitfires.

Public ice arenas, schools or nonprofit agencies in mid- and northeastern Michigan interested in receiving an automatic external defibrillator should contact the MCVI Foundation at (989) 754-3319 to request an application.

[wingsfan75 2]

Pretty cool that this is happening right here in Saginaw. Sadly, I probably won't have the chance to go.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

first dmac now fisher YES!

in all seriousness, i really hope one day they figure out what exactly happened to cause it and allow him back in the nhl

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

That's AWESOME news for Fisch.

[#19=Legend 29]

I live in Saginaw. Maybe ill go.

[wingslogo19 281]

That's awesome, good to hear

[amberlynn25 9]

thats awesome. I wish i could go.

[dallas27 7]

Awesome news. I'm starting to see more and more defibrillators pop up at rinks around MI.

[grimace1970 81]

OK, OK, I'll ask the obvious question everyone knows better than to ask.

When do you think he will be back in game shape?!?

Seriously, though, this is really cool.

[Guest paveldatsukthenextsavard]

why can't fischer play again?

[wingnut40 176]

Aww yey good for him!

why can't fischer play again?

Are you...serious?

[VM1138 1,921]

Saginaw is really close to here, too bad I work...as always. Will he be signing autographs there? It'd be really fun to see him skate again. I wish he could come back and play someday, but obviously not if his health is at risk.

[shannyfan1414 0]

Good for Fisher!!!!

I was at that game and i still can't believe that it was three years ago.

Glad to hear that he is doing better and that he will be getting back on the ice.

[cirov19 1]

Ew I would love to go.

And I'm sure the question being asked about why Fisch can't play isn't referring to the cardiac arrest..?

If you want to know why they still haven't let him back on the ice I'm going to go with so it doesn't happen again. Yeah that actually is still really obvious.