Fernando Pisani facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fernando Pisani
Pisani with the Edmonton Oilers in April 2009
Born	(1976-12-27) December 27, 1976 (age 48) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Edmonton Oilers Chicago Blackhawks SCL Tigers HC Asiago Södertälje SK
NHL Draft	195th overall, 1996 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	2000–2011

Fernando Antonio Pisani (born December 27, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right winger in the National Hockey League (NHL). Fernando played for his hometown team, the Edmonton Oilers, for seven seasons. He also played one season for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Fernando Pisani's Hockey Journey

Fernando Pisani started his hockey career playing for the St. Albert Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). He was really good, scoring 103 points in 58 games! Because of his talent, the Edmonton Oilers picked him in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 195th player chosen overall.

After being drafted, Fernando went to Providence College and played four years of college hockey. This helped him get ready for professional play.

Starting in the AHL

In 2000, the Oilers sent Fernando to their minor league team, the Hamilton Bulldogs, which is part of the American Hockey League (AHL). He played there for two seasons. In his third AHL season (2002–03), he got called up to play for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL!

Fernando scored his very first NHL goal on February 5, 2003. It was a big moment in a 2-1 win against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He finished that season playing 35 games with the Oilers and earned 13 points. Fernando is sometimes called a "late bloomer" because he didn't start playing in the NHL until he was 27 years old.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, when there were no games in the NHL, Fernando went to Europe. He played hockey in Switzerland and Italy for teams like HC Asiago.

The Amazing 2006 Playoffs

When the NHL started playing again in the 2005–06 season, Fernando had a great year. He scored 18 goals and made 19 assists, totaling 37 points. Even though the Oilers were the last team to make it into the playoffs in their conference, they went on an amazing journey! They made it all the way to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Fernando became a real hero during these playoffs. He played even better than usual!

• Against the Detroit Red Wings, he scored two goals in the final game of the series, helping the Oilers win 4-2 and move on.
• In the next round against the San Jose Sharks, he scored two more goals, including the one that won the game, in a 6-3 victory.
• When they reached the finals against Carolina, the Oilers were close to being eliminated in Game 5. The game went into overtime, and the Oilers were playing with one less player because of a penalty. But Fernando intercepted a pass, skated away, and scored his second goal of the game! This amazing goal saved the Oilers from being eliminated. It was the first time in Stanley Cup Finals history that an overtime game was won by a team with a player in the penalty box.
• Fernando then scored the only goal for the Oilers in Game 7, but they still lost the game and the championship.

Fernando finished those playoffs with an incredible 14 goals, which was the most in the league! Five of those goals were game-winners. This was almost as many goals as he scored in the entire regular season! After this amazing performance, the Oilers signed him to a new contract.

Dealing with Illness

After his fantastic playoff run, Fernando had a 28-point season in 2006–07. However, the Oilers didn't make it to the playoffs that year.

Before the 2007–08 season began, Fernando was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This is a condition that affects the digestive system. It meant he couldn't play for the first 26 games of the season. He returned to play for the Oilers on December 2, 2007. That year, he was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy. This award is given to a player who shows great perseverance and dedication to hockey, even when facing challenges.

Last NHL Seasons

The 2008–09 season was shorter for Fernando because of an injury. He played in only 38 games, scoring seven goals and adding eight assists.

After his time with the Oilers, Fernando signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2010–11 season. The Blackhawks had just won the Stanley Cup! He played in 60 games for them and earned 16 points.

In 2012, a Swedish team called Södertälje SK announced that Fernando would join them. However, Fernando decided not to play, saying he didn't feel he was playing at a high enough level to help the team.

Fernando's Life Outside Hockey

Fernando Pisani went to school with another hockey player, Sheldon Souray. Fernando is married to Heidi, and they have two sons and a daughter.

Hockey Records

• Fernando Pisani was the first player to score a shorthanded goal in overtime during the Stanley Cup Finals. This happened on June 14, 2006.

Career Statistics

Bold indicates led league