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Eric Fehr
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Eric Fehr (born September 7, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He most recently played under contract with Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was drafted in the first round, 18th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In addition to two separate stints with Washington, Fehr has also played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins (with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2016), Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and the Minnesota Wild. Fehr initially ended his professional career after having played two seasons with Genève-Servette HC of the National League (NL) before resuming to play in the KHL.
Key Information
In 2014, Fehr became a published author, writing an anti-bullying children's book titled "The Bulliest Dozer".[1] Proceeds from book sales benefited charity.[1]
In 2022, after a 17-year professional playing career where he won a Calder Cup, Spengler Cup, and Stanley Cup, Fehr returned to his hometown to join the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League as the team's director of player development.
Playing career
[edit]Fehr was a first-round draft pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, chosen 18th overall.
Fehr played 11 games with the Capitals in the 2005–06 season, going scoreless with two penalty minutes and an even plus-minus rating. He spent the rest of the season with Washington's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears, and ultimately returned to Hershey to start the 2006–07 season. He played a brief callup with the Capitals early into the 2006–07 season, and was later recalled again in late January. His first game back with the Capitals came on January 27, 2007; in the same game, Fehr scored his first career NHL goal, which would be the eventual game-winner in the Capitals' 7–3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.[2]
Fehr recovered from a herniated disc injury and was called up to the Capitals on February 4, 2008.[3]
On July 8, 2011, Fehr was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2012 and prospect Danick Paquette.[4] Fehr underwent surgery on his right shoulder in October 2011 and eventually missed the majority of the season due to recurring problems with the shoulder.[5] Fehr was not given a qualifying offer by the Jets at the end of the 2011–12 season, thereby making him an unrestricted free agent.[6]
Due to the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, Fehr signed his first European contract with HPK of the Finnish SM-liiga on October 23, 2012.[7] He then returned to the Capitals organization after signing a one-year, $600,000 contract on January 13, 2013.[8]
At the conclusion of the 2014–15 season, and as an impending free agent, Fehr underwent elbow surgery for a recovery period of 4–6 months. With his injury delaying his involvement for the following season, Fehr was later signed to a three-year, $6 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 28, 2015.[9] Fehr made his debut, after missing the first 10 games of the Penguins season, against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 31, 2015. He scored a shorthanded goal and added an assist in a 4–0 Penguins victory.[10] He scored another shorthanded goal in the next game, a 3–2 win against the Vancouver Canucks, and thus became the first player in NHL history to score a shorthanded goal in his first two games with a team.[11] In 2016, Fehr won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins.
On February 28, 2017, one day before the trade deadline, Fehr was placed on waivers for the purpose of being sent to the American Hockey League.[12] He had largely played on the Penguins' fourth line, and was seen as a player to bench once several injured Penguins' players returned from injury.[12] In the weeks approaching the deadline, Fehr had been a frequent healthy scratch.[12] He cleared the following day, but was then traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, alongside Steven Oleksy and a 2017 fourth-round pick, in exchange for Frank Corrado in an effort to clear cap space for the Penguins.[13] Fehr was a healthy scratch for the Maple Leafs for nine games due to a plethora of forwards, but an injury to Nikita Soshnikov on March 20 allowed Fehr to make his season debut two nights later against the Columbus Blue Jackets.[14] Fehr played adequately in his limited role on the fourth line but broke his left hand in the game, effectively ending his season.[15]
Heading into the 2017–18 season, Fehr battled with Dominic Moore, who was signed by Toronto in the off-season, for the fourth-line centre spot.[16] After appearing in four games for the Maple Leafs, Fehr was placed on waivers on October 23, effectively losing the fourth-line centre role to Moore.[17] On November 7, Fehr was loaned to the San Diego Gulls, AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, by the Toronto Maple Leafs.[18] On February 20, 2018, the Maple Leafs traded Fehr to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft.[19] On March 12, 2018, Fehr scored his first goal as a San Jose Shark, giving the Sharks a 2–1 lead, in a 5–3 victory against the Detroit Red Wings.[20] Fehr was used in a fourth-line role, adding a physical edge and veteran presence, he appeared in 10 games through the playoffs, posting a goal and assist.
A free agent in the off-season, Fehr left the Sharks and secured a one-year, $1 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2018.[21] Playing on the Wild's fourth line, Fehr featured in 72 games during the 2018–19 season, contributing with 7 goals and 15 points as Minnesota missed the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons.
As a free agent, Fehr returned to Europe, agreeing to a one-year contract with Swiss club Genève-Servette HC of the NL on July 20, 2019.[22] On May 27, 2020, it was officially announced that Fehr would not return to the team for the 2020-21 season. Despite this announcement, Fehr was brought back to the team on July 13, 2020, agreeing to a one-year deal for the 2020–21 season. He made it to the NL final with Genève-Servette but the team was swept by EV Zug, finishing as runner-up. Fehr retired from professional hockey following the 2021 playoffs.[23]
On December 21, 2021, Fehr returned to the professional circuit, signing a contract with Russian KHL club Ak Bars Kazan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[24]
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2000–01 | Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 63 | 11 | 16 | 27 | 29 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 70 | 26 | 29 | 55 | 76 | 17 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 26 | ||
| 2003–04 | Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 71 | 50 | 34 | 84 | 129 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 16 | ||
| 2004–05 | Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 71 | 59 | 52 | 111 | 91 | 24 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 47 | ||
| 2005–06 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 70 | 25 | 28 | 53 | 70 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 8 | ||
| 2005–06 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 40 | 22 | 19 | 41 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 11 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 23 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 61 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 22 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 69 | 21 | 18 | 39 | 24 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2010–11 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 52 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 35 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | HPK | SM-l | 21 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 41 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2013–14 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 73 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 75 | 19 | 14 | 33 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 55 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2016–17 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 52 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | San Diego Gulls | AHL | 34 | 17 | 11 | 28 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2018–19 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 72 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Genève–Servette HC | NL | 44 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Genève–Servette HC | NL | 50 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 153 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 34 | ||
| 2021–22 | Ak Bars Kazan | KHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 652 | 113 | 102 | 221 | 217 | 70 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 24 | ||||
International
[edit]| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Canada Western | U17 | 6th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | |
| Junior totals | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | ||||
Awards and honours
[edit]| Awards | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| WHL | ||
| East First All-Star Team | 2005 | |
| AHL | ||
| Calder Cup champion | 2005–06 | |
| NHL | ||
| Stanley Cup champion | 2016 | [25] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Alex Prewitt (October 4, 2014). "Eric Fehr wrote an anti-bullying children's book called "The Bulliest Dozer"". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Capitals 7, Hurricanes 3". Yahoo! Sports. January 27, 2007. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2007.
- ^ "Finally Fehr". DumpnChase.com. February 4, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2008.
- ^ Katie Carrera (July 8, 2011). "Washington Capitals trade Eric Fehr to Winnipeg Jets". washingtonpost.com.
- ^ "TSN Eric Fehr Bio – Transactions, Injuries, Suspensions".
- ^ Brian Munz (June 25, 2012). "CHEVELDAYOFF HAPPY WITH DRAFT; CUTS TIES WITH FEHR". tsn.ca.
- ^ "Eric Fehr signs with Finnish team". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
- ^ "Capitals Sign Eric Fehr". Washington Capitals. January 13, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ "Penguins agree to terms with Eric Fehr on a three-year contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 28, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ "3 Impressions: Pens 4, Leafs 0". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ "Eric Fehr scores another shorty, has as many goals as Crosby". russianmachineneverbreaks.com. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c "NHL Trade Deadline: Fehr on waivers, Penguins clearing salary for a move?". SB Nation. February 28, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ "Maple Leafs acquire Fehr, Oleksy and pick from Penguins for Corrado". Sportsnet.ca. March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ "Fehr excited to make debut with Leafs". TSN. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Leafs' Eric Fehr injured in first game". Toronto Sun. March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Leaf Dominic Moore's sour mood about sitting could change this week". Toronto Sun. January 18, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ "Leafs place forward Eric Fehr on waivers". Sportsnet. October 23, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ "Maple Leafs Trade Eric Fehr to San Jose". NHL.com. February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ "Sharks Acquire Forward Eric Fehr from Maple Leafs". NHL.com. February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ "Fehr's 1st goal for Sharks helps fuel 5–3 win over Red Wings". theScore.com. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Wild inks Fehr to one-year contract". Minnesota Wild. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ "Fourth foreigner signed on a one-year contract with Eric Fehr" (in French). Genève-Servette HC. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ "GSHC's Eric Fehr to retire". swisshockeynews.ch. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ "Ak Bars sign Canadian Eric Fehr" (in Russian). Ak Bars Kazan. December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ "Penguins win Stanley Cup, defeat Sharks in Game 6". National Hockey League. June 12, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database, or TSN.ca
Eric Fehr
View on GrokipediaEarly life and junior career
Early life
Eric Fehr was born on September 7, 1985, in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada.[2] He grew up in a close-knit family with his parents, Helen and Frank Fehr, and two brothers, in the small southern Manitoba town of Winkler, known for its agricultural roots and strong sense of local pride.[8][9] The Fehr family emphasized faith from an early age, with parents sharing Bible stories and encouraging church attendance, which shaped Fehr's values amid the region's Bible Belt culture.[10] Winkler fostered a hockey-oriented environment, producing multiple NHL talents and serving as a hub for youth sports in rural Manitoba.[11] Fehr's early exposure to the sport was influenced by the town's passion for the game and his fandom for the nearby Winnipeg Jets during their 1990s heyday.[12] As a child, he often shared ambitious dreams with peers, claiming he played for the Jets, reflecting the sport's deep integration into daily life.[12] This foundation in Winkler's hockey community prepared Fehr for his transition to junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings.[1]Junior career
Eric Fehr joined the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the 2000–01 season after being selected fifth overall in the 2000 WHL Bantam Draft. Over five seasons from 2000 to 2005, he appeared in 279 regular-season games, recording 146 goals and 131 assists for a total of 277 points, along with 325 penalty minutes. His development progressed steadily, with notable improvement in scoring output during his later years. In the 2002–03 season, Fehr contributed 26 goals and 29 assists in 70 games, helping the Wheat Kings reach the playoffs. The following year, 2003–04, he erupted offensively with 50 goals and 34 assists in 71 games, achieving a plus-23 rating and establishing himself as a power forward. Fehr's breakout continued in 2004–05, where he led the Brandon team with 59 goals—his second consecutive 50-goal campaign—while adding 52 assists for 111 points in 71 games, earning a plus-26 rating. Fehr's junior performance culminated in major individual honors during the 2004–05 season. He won the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's leading scorer with his 111 points, a league-high that season. Additionally, he received the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, recognizing him as the WHL Player of the Year for his overall excellence and impact. Prior to his professional career, Fehr's junior tenure with the Wheat Kings positioned him as a top prospect, leading to his selection by the Washington Capitals in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.Professional career
Washington Capitals (2005–2011)
Eric Fehr signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals on July 29, 2005, worth $2.68 million with an annual cap hit of approximately $895,000.[13] He made his NHL debut during the 2005–06 season, appearing in 11 games for the Capitals while recording no points, two penalty minutes, and an even plus-minus rating.[5] Much of Fehr's rookie professional season was spent with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate, where he contributed to their successful playoff run. In the regular season, he tallied 24 goals and 29 assists in 65 games.[5] During the 2006 Calder Cup playoffs, Fehr played 19 games, scoring eight goals and three assists, helping the Bears secure the championship with a 4–1 series win over the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.[14] A highlight was his overtime goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Portland Pirates on May 30, 2006, which clinched the series and advanced Hershey to the finals.[15] Fehr split time between the NHL and AHL in the following seasons as he developed his game. He returned to the Capitals lineup on January 27, 2007, after a stint in Hershey, and scored his first NHL goal in that game—a wrist shot against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Martin Gerber—contributing to a 7–3 victory.[16] Over the 2006–07 season, he appeared in 14 NHL games, adding one more goal and one assist.[17] In 2007–08, Fehr played 23 games for Washington, recording one goal and five assists while maintaining a positive plus-minus of +4.[17] Fehr experienced a breakout in the 2008–09 season, establishing himself as a regular NHL contributor with 61 games played, 12 goals, and 13 assists for 25 points.[17] He built on this momentum in 2009–10, achieving career highs with 69 games, 21 goals, 18 assists, and a +18 plus-minus rating, showcasing his two-way play as a reliable middle-six forward.[17] The 2010–11 season saw him in 52 games with 10 goals and 10 assists, though injuries limited his consistency.[17] Across his first NHL stint from 2005 to 2011, Fehr amassed 46 goals and 47 assists in 230 games with the Capitals.[17] On July 8, 2011, the Capitals traded Fehr to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for prospect Danick Paquette and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2012, primarily to shed salary cap space ahead of free agency.[18]Winnipeg Jets and return to Capitals (2011–2015)
On July 8, 2011, the Washington Capitals traded forward Eric Fehr to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for minor-league forward Danick Paquette and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, primarily to alleviate salary cap constraints ahead of the upcoming season.[18][19] Fehr, a native of Winkler, Manitoba, had spent his entire NHL career to that point with the Capitals after being selected 18th overall in the 2003 draft, but injuries had limited his production in recent years.[2] In the 2011–12 season, Fehr appeared in 81 games for the Jets, recording 12 goals and 7 assists for 19 points while accumulating 24 penalty minutes and a minus-5 plus-minus rating.[20] His performance provided steady depth scoring on the Jets' roster during their inaugural season in Winnipeg, though the team missed the playoffs. At the conclusion of the season, the Jets declined to extend a qualifying offer to Fehr, making him an unrestricted free agent.[2] The 2012–13 NHL lockout delayed Fehr's return to North American hockey, prompting him to sign with HPK Hämeenlinna of the Finnish SM-liiga on October 23, 2012, where he posted 7 goals and 11 points in 27 games.[2] Upon resolution of the lockout, Fehr rejoined the Capitals on January 12, 2013, via a one-year, prorated contract worth $600,000, leveraging his familiarity with the organization from his earlier tenure.[21] In the shortened 48-game season, he contributed 9 goals and 8 assists for 17 points in 41 games, helping the Capitals secure a playoff spot while adapting quickly to a bottom-six role that emphasized his physical presence and defensive reliability.[22] Fehr's resurgence continued after signing a two-year, $3 million extension ($1.5 million average annual value) with the Capitals on April 24, 2013, which covered the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons.[23] In 2013–14, he played 73 games, tallying 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points, marking a career-high in assists and showcasing improved offensive consistency on checking lines.[17] The 2014–15 campaign represented the peak of his revival, as Fehr notched 19 goals and 14 assists for 33 points in 75 regular-season games, often deployed in a shutdown role against top opposing lines while adding secondary scoring.[24] In the playoffs, he appeared in four games before sustaining an elbow injury that sidelined him for the remainder of Washington's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Rangers, though his early contributions helped stabilize the bottom six during a run to the second round.[25] Following the 2014–15 season, Fehr became an unrestricted free agent after his contract expired, undergoing elbow surgery in May 2015 that required a 4–6 month recovery.[2] He departed the Capitals organization, where he had accumulated 32 goals over his two full seasons upon return, ending a second stint that revitalized his NHL career.[17]Pittsburgh Penguins and Stanley Cup (2015–2017)
On July 28, 2015, Fehr signed a three-year, $6 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an unrestricted free agent, following elbow surgery that sidelined him for four to six months after the 2014–15 season.[26][2] The deal positioned him as a versatile bottom-six forward, valued for his defensive reliability and penalty-killing abilities.[27] In the 2015–16 regular season, Fehr appeared in 55 games for the Penguins, recording 8 goals and 6 assists for 14 points, while providing shutdown minutes against opposing top lines.[17] A hamstring injury limited his play in February and early March, but he returned to contribute to the team's depth.[28] During the playoffs, Fehr played in 23 of Pittsburgh's 24 games en route to the Stanley Cup championship, tallying 3 goals—including two game-winners—and 1 assist for 4 points.[29] His defensive efforts were crucial in the Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks, where he helped contain key forwards; Pittsburgh clinched the series with a 3–1 victory in Game 6 on June 12, 2016, securing Fehr's first and only Stanley Cup as a player.[30][31] The 2016–17 season saw Fehr continue as a reliable third- and fourth-line center for the Penguins, appearing in 52 games and posting 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points, along with a plus-3 rating.[2] He faced occasional healthy scratches but remained a steady presence on the penalty kill and in faceoffs.[32] Fehr's tenure with Pittsburgh solidified his reputation as a championship-caliber role player, contributing to the team's back-to-back Final appearance, though he did not play in the postseason that year.[33]Later NHL teams (2017–2019)
Following his Stanley Cup-winning tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Eric Fehr joined the Toronto Maple Leafs via trade on March 1, 2017, along with defenseman Stefan Oleksy and a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, in exchange for defenseman Frank Corrado. In the 2017–18 season, Fehr's role with Toronto was limited due to injuries and roster competition; he appeared in only four games, recording no points before being placed on waivers on October 23, 2017, and subsequently assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.[2] On February 20, 2018, the Maple Leafs traded Fehr to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Fehr's stint with San Jose was brief but productive in a bottom-six role, as he suited up for 14 regular-season games, contributing 3 goals and 1 assist while providing physicality and penalty-killing support during the Sharks' push for a playoff spot.[2] As an unrestricted free agent in the 2018 offseason, Fehr signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2018, reuniting him with former Penguins teammate Matt Cullen and adding veteran depth to the forward group. During the 2018–19 season, Fehr played a steady third- or fourth-line role for Minnesota, appearing in 72 games and registering 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points, helping stabilize the lineup amid injuries to key players.[2] Fehr became an unrestricted free agent again after the season concluded, having accumulated 10 goals across his 91 games with Toronto, San Jose, and Minnesota from 2017 to 2019.[2][17]European leagues (2019–2022)
Following his departure from the NHL, Eric Fehr signed a one-year contract with Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss National League (NL) on July 20, 2019.[34] In the 2019–20 season, Fehr recorded 15 goals and 19 assists in 44 regular-season games, helping the team finish second in the standings before the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] Initial reports in late May 2020 indicated that Fehr would not return to the club, but he extended his contract for another year on July 13, 2020.[35] During the 2020–21 season, Fehr served as an alternate captain and led the team with 21 goals alongside 21 assists in 50 regular-season games.[5] Genève-Servette advanced to the NL playoffs, defeating HC Lugano and ZSC Lions to reach the finals, where they were swept 4–0 by EV Zug; Fehr contributed 3 goals and 3 assists in 11 playoff games.[4] Over his two seasons with the club, Fehr amassed 36 goals and 40 assists in 94 regular-season games.[36] On May 11, 2021, Fehr announced his retirement from professional hockey at age 35, citing the end of his two-year stint in Geneva.[4] However, on December 21, 2021, he signed a contract with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[6] With Ak Bars, Fehr appeared in 5 regular-season games, recording no points, before the team reached the KHL playoffs.[5] He scored 1 goal in 2 playoff games as Ak Bars advanced to the conference finals.[36] Fehr retired following the 2021–22 playoffs.[5]International career
Under-17 and junior international play
Fehr began his international career representing Canada West at the 2001 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, held from December 29, 2001, to January 4, 2002, in New Glasgow and Truro, Nova Scotia.[37] The tournament featured five Canadian regional teams and five international squads, with Canada West advancing to the medal round after finishing second in Group A with a 2–1–1 record.[38] In the semifinals, Canada West fell 2–1 to Canada Pacific, followed by a 1–0 loss to Canada Ontario in the bronze medal game, securing a fourth-place finish overall.[39] During the event, Fehr contributed one assist over five games played, while accumulating 20 penalty minutes.[5] No additional significant appearances for Fehr at the junior international level are recorded.[5]Senior international play
Fehr's senior international career with Team Canada was limited, primarily occurring after his NHL tenure when he was playing in European leagues. He did not participate in major IIHF tournaments such as the Olympics or World Championships, as his prime professional years coincided with NHL commitments that precluded such selections.[5] In December 2019, Fehr was named to Canada's roster for the Spengler Cup, an annual invitational tournament held in Davos, Switzerland. Representing the team as a 34-year-old forward, he appeared in all four games, recording one goal and one assist for two points, along with two penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating. His contributions helped Canada secure the championship with a 4-3 overtime victory over Switzerland in the final.[40][41] Fehr's other senior international appearances came during the 2021–22 Euro Hockey Tour, a series of exhibition games against European national teams. Playing for Canada in three matches, he tallied no points but accumulated two penalty minutes and a minus-2 rating, as the team used the tour to evaluate players amid discussions about NHL participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics.[40][5]Post-playing career
Role with Winkler Flyers
Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2022, Eric Fehr joined the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) as Director of Player Development in June of that year.[42] As a native of Winkler, Manitoba, Fehr returned to his hometown to contribute his extensive experience from a 17-year professional career, which included winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016, the Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears in 2006, and the Spengler Cup with Team Canada in 2019.[43][7] In this role, Fehr's responsibilities center on mentoring young players through on-ice and off-ice development programs tailored to individual needs. He facilitates video reviews, skill-building sessions, and performance discussions to help athletes and prospects enhance their abilities and prepare for competitive play. Additionally, Fehr engages in scouting and advising players on opportunities, contributing to the overall enhancement of the Flyers' development framework.[43][44] Fehr's involvement has strengthened the local talent pathway by leveraging his professional insights to guide junior players toward advancement in the MJHL and higher levels of hockey. His work emphasizes holistic growth, including character development, to support emerging athletes in transitioning to professional or collegiate opportunities. In the 2024–25 season, Fehr also serves as an assistant coach for the team, further integrating his expertise into daily operations.[42][45]Other activities
Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2022, Fehr has pursued various media engagements reflecting on his career. In October 2024, he appeared on NHL Network's NHL Now, where he discussed his 15-year NHL tenure, including key moments with the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as his transition to life after playing.[46] Fehr has also been actively involved in anti-bullying advocacy, most notably through his co-authorship of the 2014 children's book The Bulliest Dozer. Written with Pamela Duncan Edwards and illustrated by Ashley Wolff, the 32-page story follows a bullying bulldozer who learns the value of kindness and teamwork on a construction site, aimed at teaching young readers about empathy and positive behavior.[47] Fehr conceived the idea after witnessing bullying's impact on children, drawing from his own experiences and commitment to the cause; all proceeds from the book sales support Playworks, a nonprofit organization that promotes safe and inclusive play to prevent bullying in schools.[48] He promoted the book through readings at elementary schools and community events in the Washington, D.C., area during his time with the Capitals, including a launch event where teammates like Alex Ovechkin participated, helping it reach families and educators nationwide.[49] Since 2023, Fehr has been involved with LactiGo, a topical gel product designed for muscle recovery and performance enhancement in athletes. Co-developed with former Washington Capitals teammates Jay Beagle and Karl Alzner, the product leverages lactic acid technology and has gained traction among NHL players and other professionals. Fehr contributes to its promotion and business development, drawing on his playing experience to endorse its benefits for injury prevention and recovery.[50] In March 2025, Fehr contributed to the Washington Capitals' Rinkside Update series, joining host Mike Vogel to preview a matchup between two of his former teams—the Capitals and Winnipeg Jets—in his home province of Manitoba, sharing insights on the rivalry and regional hockey culture.[51] These appearances highlight Fehr's ongoing connection to the hockey community through broadcast and alumni discussions.Career statistics and awards
Regular season and playoff statistics
Fehr's National Hockey League (NHL) career spanned 14 seasons from 2005 to 2019, during which he appeared in 652 regular-season games, scoring 113 goals and 108 assists for 221 points, while accumulating 217 penalty minutes.[17] His playoff participation included 70 games across eight postseasons, where he contributed 9 goals and 3 assists for 12 points and 24 penalty minutes.[17]NHL Regular Season
| Season | Age | Team | Lg | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG | GWG | SOG | SPCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 20 | WSH | NHL | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.0 |
| 2006-07 | 21 | WSH | NHL | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 8.0 |
| 2007-08 | 22 | WSH | NHL | 23 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 2.5 |
| 2008-09 | 23 | WSH | NHL | 61 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 22 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 134 | 9.0 |
| 2009-10 | 24 | WSH | NHL | 69 | 21 | 18 | 39 | 24 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 145 | 14.5 |
| 2010-11 | 25 | WSH | NHL | 52 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 120 | 8.3 |
| 2011-12 | 26 | WPG | NHL | 35 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | -6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 3.7 |
| 2012-13 | 27 | WSH | NHL | 41 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 72 | 12.5 |
| 2013-14 | 28 | WSH | NHL | 73 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 137 | 9.5 |
| 2014-15 | 29 | WSH | NHL | 75 | 19 | 14 | 33 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 142 | 13.4 |
| 2015-16 | 30 | PIT | NHL | 55 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 74 | 10.8 |
| 2016-17 | 31 | PIT | NHL | 42 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 48 | 10.4 |
| 2016-17 | 31 | TOR | NHL | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 7.1 |
| 2017-18 | 32 | DET | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 |
| 2017-18 | 32 | SJS | NHL | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 12.5 |
| 2018-19 | 33 | MIN | NHL | 72 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 30 | -8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 10.4 |
NHL Playoffs
| Season | Age | Team | Lg | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG | GWG | SOG | SPCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 22 | WSH | NHL | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20.0 |
| 2008-09 | 23 | WSH | NHL | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.0 |
| 2009-10 | 24 | WSH | NHL | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 15.0 |
| 2010-11 | 25 | WSH | NHL | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10.0 |
| 2012-13 | 27 | WSH | NHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0.0 |
| 2014-15 | 29 | WSH | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 |
| 2015-16 | 30 | PIT | NHL | 23 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 8.6 |
| 2017-18 | 32 | SJS | NHL | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 8.3 |
International statistics
Fehr's international career was limited, primarily consisting of one youth tournament appearance and two senior exhibition tournaments later in his career. The following table summarizes his international tournament statistics:| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Canada West | U17 WHC | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| 2019 | Team Canada | Spengler Cup | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | Team Canada | Channel One Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |