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Mike Fisher to end retirement, return to Predators

Fisher currently doesn't have a contract, according to the team. When he signs one, it's expected to be for the remainder of this season.

The Predators on Wednesday announced at a press conference that former captain Mike Fisher will end his retirement and return to the team as an active member of the roster.

"It's great to be back," Fisher said. "I think about the retirement. I never really thought of it as a possibility ... I had the blessing from my family and my wife (Carrie Underwood) ... it's such a great opportunity. It's going to be fun and some work. But I am ready for it."

RELATED: Predators' Mike Fisher retires

Fisher currently doesn't have a contract, according to the team. When he signs one, it's expected to be for the remainder of this season.

"Deer season is officially over," general manager David Poile said at the beginning of the press conference, announcing that Fisher is returning. Fisher is an avid hunter.

Fisher began skating on his own on Wednesday. Poile said there is no timetable to get Fisher back on the ice.

"I am really happy you are coming back," Poile told Fisher.

Fisher retired last August after a 17-season NHL career. He announced his decision in an exclusive first-person story in The Tennessean.

The Predators lost to Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Final last June.

"I believe this team is built to win," Fisher said. "I believe this year could be our year."

Poile said he met with the team earlier Wednesday and that the players were excited to have him back.

Fisher scored 276 goals and has 309 assists in 1,088 career NHL games. He played his final six-plus season with the Predators, scoring 109 goals in 413 games.

"I feel I can come back and contribute, whatever that role is," Fisher said.

He said he enjoyed the short retirement, but is ready to get back on the ice. He said he really began to miss the game in December.

"Around Christmastime,it's when I really first began missing the game," Fisher said.

Coach Peter Laviolette said the door has always been "100 percent open" for Fisher to return if that's something he wanted to do. "If you had a desire to play ... we had a desire or thought of how to get that done."

Fisher said that his wife, singer Carrie Underwood, supported the decision. "She wanted me to do it."

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