Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Fernando Pisani
View on WikipediaFernando Antonio Pisani (born December 27, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played professionally in the National Hockey League for his hometown Edmonton Oilers for seven NHL seasons, and one for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Key Information
Playing career
[edit]After posting 103 points in 58 games with the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Pisani was drafted in the eighth round, 195th overall, by his hometown team, the Edmonton Oilers in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Upon being drafted, Pisani played four years of collegiate hockey for Providence College.
In 2000–01, the Oilers assigned him to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. Pisani spent two seasons in Hamilton, before being called up in his third AHL season in 2002–03. He scored his first NHL goal on February 5, 2003, in a 2-1 win against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.[1] He finished the season with the Oilers, playing in 35 games with 13 points. Pisani is generally considered a "late bloomer", because he did not see his first NHL action until the age of 27.
Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Pisani went overseas to Europe and played in the Swiss Nationalliga A and Italian Serie A with HC Asiago.
2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs
[edit]As NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Pisani scored a career-high 18 goals, 19 assists and 37 points. Although the Oilers entered the playoffs as the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference, they embarked on a cinderella run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. Pisani became a playoff hero in the process, significantly elevating his game. Against the first-seeded Detroit Red Wings, Pisani scored two third period goals (his fourth and fifth of the series) in game six, series-clinching 4-2 victory.[2] Advancing to the second round against the San Jose Sharks, Pisani recorded another two-goal effort, including the game winner, in a 6-3 game five win.[3] Reaching the finals against Carolina, the Oilers faced elimination in the fifth game. Going into overtime on the penalty kill, Pisani intercepted a pass and scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway to stave off elimination. It was the first time in Stanley Cup Finals history that an overtime game was decided by a shorthanded goal.[4] Pisani then scored the Oilers' only goal in a game seven loss.[5] He just missed tying the game with three minutes left in regulation time when his shot, on the rebound from the initial shot by Raffi Torres, was saved by Carolina goalie Cam Ward.[6]
Pisani finished the playoffs with a league-leading 14 goals including 5 game-winners,[7] nearly matching his regular season output of 18 goals in 80 games. He was re-signed by the Oilers in the off-season to a four-year, $10 million contract on July 1, 2006.[8]
Ulcerative Colitis
[edit]Pisani followed his 2006 playoff performance with a 28-point season in 2006–07, but the Oilers failed to qualify for the post-season. Prior to the start of the 2007–08 season, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, sidelining him for the first 26 games of the campaign.[9] He returned to the Oilers lineup on December 2, 2007, and was nominated that year for the Bill Masterton Trophy, an award given for perseverance and dedication to hockey.[10][11] The award was subsequently given to Jason Blake of the Toronto Maple Leafs who had been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia at the start of the season, but still managed to play in all 82 games.[12]
Final NHL years
[edit]On November 17, 2008, in a 4–0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, Pisani suffered an ankle fracture as he lost his footing and sliding into the boards, resulting in him missing the next 44 games.[13] This injury shortened 2008–09 season saw Pisani suit up for only 38 games, scoring seven goals to go with eight assists for 15 total points.
Pisiani would miss the first 13 games of the 2009–10 season due to a strained back.[14] Pisani ended the season with four goals and assists for eight points in 40 games as the Oilers missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season and finished last in the entire NHL.
After becoming an unrestricted free agent, Pisani signed a one-year deal with the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, for the 2010–11 season. On February 11, 2011, in a 4–3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, Pisani was leveled by Stars' defenseman Mark Fistric, resulting in a concussion for Pisani and a 12 game absence.[15] He appeared in 60 games and registered 16 points (seven goals and nine assists) as the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks barely got into the playoffs as the eighth and final seed in the West. In the first round of the 2011 playoffs, that saw the Blackhawks fall in seven games to the Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks, Pisani was held pointless in three games.
On January 1, 2012, the Swedish team Södertälje SK of the HockeyAllsvenskan announced that Pisani would join the team.[16] However, on January 10, Pisani revoked the contract, stating that he did not think he was at a level where he could contribute effectively.[17]
Personal life
[edit]He attended St. Cecilia Junior High School and Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School with Sheldon Souray.[18] He and his wife Heidi have two sons and a daughter.
Records
[edit]- First player to score a shorthanded overtime goal in Stanley Cup Finals history - June 14, 2006[4]
Career statistics
[edit]Bold indicates led league
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1993–94 | St. Albert Saints | AJHL | 50 | 6 | 21 | 27 | 24 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 14 | ||
| 1994–95 | Bonnyville Pontiacs | AJHL | 16 | 4 | 34 | 38 | 97 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | St. Albert Saints | AJHL | 40 | 26 | 21 | 47 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 1995–96 | St. Albert Saints | AJHL | 58 | 40 | 63 | 103 | 134 | 18 | 7 | 22 | 29 | 28 | ||
| 1996–97 | Providence College | HE | 35 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Providence College | HE | 36 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Providence College | HE | 38 | 14 | 37 | 51 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–2000 | Providence College | HE | 38 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 52 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 79 | 26 | 34 | 60 | 60 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 4 | ||
| 2002–03 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 41 | 17 | 15 | 32 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 35 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2003–04 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 76 | 16 | 14 | 30 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | SCL Tigers | NLA | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Asiago Hockey A.S. | ITA | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 80 | 18 | 19 | 37 | 42 | 24 | 14 | 4 | 18 | 10 | ||
| 2006–07 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 77 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 56 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 38 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 40 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 60 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Södertälje SK | SWE.2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| AHL totals | 172 | 55 | 62 | 117 | 112 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 4 | ||||
| NHL totals | 482 | 87 | 82 | 169 | 200 | 33 | 15 | 4 | 19 | 12 | ||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Anaheim vs. Edmonton". USA Today. 2003-02-05. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Oilers upset Red Wings in NHL playoffs". Bloomberg. 2006-05-02. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Oilers close in on conference finals with 6-3 win over Sharks". USA Today. 2006-05-14. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ a b "Game 5 a just outcome for Oilers". USA Today. 15 June 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Game 7: Hurricanes 3 - Oilers 1". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on June 23, 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ Klein, Jeff Z.; Reif, Karl-Eric (2007-04-29). "These are the saves to remember". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Fernando Pisani agrees to four-year deal". 2006-07-01. Archived from the original on 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Saturday's Sports Transactions". USA Today. 2006-07-01. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Fernando's future". Edmonton Oilers. 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
- ^ "Fernando Pisani returns to Oilers lineup". Edmonton Oilers. 2007-12-02. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
- ^ "Jason Blake, Chris Chelios, Fernando Pisani are selected as Masterton finalists". International Herald-Tribune. 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ Hunter, Paul (2008-06-12). "Leafs' Blake wins Masterton Trophy". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Oil Change". dispatch.com. Dispatch. November 18, 2008. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ Joanne Ireland (October 31, 2009). "Pisani back in action". edmontonjournal.com. Edmonton Journal. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ ESPN Chicago (February 12, 2011). "Fernando Pisani (head) leaves game". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "NHL-meriterade Pisani till SSK". 2012-01-01. Archived from the original on 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
- ^ "Pisani vänder hem & Ingen Nylander". 2012-01-01. Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- ^ "Fernando Pisani alumni bio". Providence College. 2009-01-02. Archived from the original on 2016-01-12. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
Fernando Pisani
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background and education
Fernando Pisani was born on December 27, 1976, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Italian immigrant parents Cosimo and Maria Pisani.[9] Cosimo immigrated to Canada from Serra San Bruno in southern Italy in 1965 at the age of 19, seeking work and a better life, while Maria arrived at age 7 with her parents from the same town; the couple married after settling in Edmonton.[10] The family grew up in Edmonton's Little Italy neighborhood, part of a vibrant Italian-Canadian community of about 30,000 people, where Pisani was one of four children, including an older brother, Sandro, who also played hockey and later coached youth teams.[10] As a child, Pisani balanced hockey in the winter with soccer in the summer, showing early promise in both sports within the close-knit immigrant community.[10] Pisani pursued higher education at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, where he played four seasons of NCAA Division I hockey for the Friars from 1996 to 2000.[11] He had been selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the eighth round (195th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft prior to enrolling, which allowed him to develop his skills in a competitive collegiate environment.[11] Over 147 games, Pisani recorded 153 points (56 goals and 97 assists), ranking 13th in program history for points and eighth for assists at the time of his graduation in 2000.[11] His college tenure provided a strong foundation for his professional career, emphasizing disciplined play and team contribution as a right winger.[7]Junior hockey development
Pisani began his organized junior hockey career in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), a Junior A league, joining the hometown St. Albert Saints for the 1993–94 season at age 16.[7] In his rookie year, he appeared in 50 regular-season games, scoring 6 goals and 21 assists for 27 points, while accumulating 24 penalty minutes.[7] During the playoffs, he contributed 9 points in 11 games, helping the Saints advance in the postseason.[7] The 1994–95 season marked a transitional period, as Pisani split time between the Bonnyville Pontiacs and the St. Albert Saints.[7] With Bonnyville, he played 16 games, recording 4 goals and 34 assists for 37 points amid 97 penalty minutes, showcasing early playmaking ability despite the limited sample.[7] Returning to the Saints for 40 games, he elevated his production with 26 goals and 21 assists for 47 points and just 16 penalty minutes, demonstrating improved scoring touch and discipline.[7] In the playoffs with St. Albert, he added 5 points in 5 games.[7] Overall, the split-season experience across 56 regular games yielded 30 goals and 55 assists for 84 points, highlighting his adaptability in a competitive league.[7] Pisani's development culminated in the 1995–96 season, where he stayed full-time with the St. Albert Saints and emerged as a top offensive contributor.[7] Over 58 games, he tallied 40 goals and 63 assists for a league-leading 103 points, along with 134 penalty minutes, establishing himself as a dynamic winger with strong vision and finishing.[7] His postseason performance was equally impressive, as he posted 7 goals and 22 assists for 29 points in 18 playoff games, aiding the Saints' deep run.[7] Additionally, Pisani represented the AJHL Selects at the 1996 Viking Cup, an all-star tournament.[7] This breakout junior campaign drew NHL attention, leading to his selection by the Edmonton Oilers in the eighth round (195th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.[2] Pisani's progression in the AJHL—from a solid rookie to a point-per-game producer—laid the foundation for his transition to collegiate hockey, underscoring his growth as a skilled, local talent from Edmonton.[9]| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Playoff GP | Playoff Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | St. Albert Saints | AJHL | 50 | 6 | 21 | 27 | 24 | 11 | 9 |
| 1994–95 | Bonnyville Pontiacs | AJHL | 16 | 4 | 34 | 37 | 97 | — | — |
| 1994–95 | St. Albert Saints | AJHL | 40 | 26 | 21 | 47 | 16 | 5 | 5 |
| 1995–96 | St. Albert Saints | AJHL | 58 | 40 | 63 | 103 | 134 | 18 | 29 |
College and minor league career
University of Providence
Fernando Pisani attended Providence College, where he played four seasons of NCAA Division I men's ice hockey for the Friars from 1996 to 2000, following his selection by the Edmonton Oilers in the eighth round (195th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.[11] As a right winger, Pisani developed into a key offensive contributor, honing his skills in Hockey East while balancing academics and athletics. His college tenure provided a foundation for his professional career, emphasizing consistent production and physical play.[1] In his freshman season (1996–97), Pisani appeared in 35 games, recording 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points, adjusting to the collegiate level after junior hockey in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.[7] As a sophomore in 1997–98, he improved noticeably, tallying 16 goals and 18 assists in 36 games for 34 points, contributing to the team's depth on the power play and penalty kill. His junior year (1998–99) marked a breakout, with 14 goals and a team-high 37 assists in 38 games, totaling 51 points and helping Providence compete in the competitive Hockey East conference.[1] Pisani's senior season (1999–2000) saw him record 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points in 38 games, showcasing his scoring prowess and earning recognition as a top offensive player before graduating.[7] Over his four years, Pisani amassed 56 goals, 97 assists, and 153 points in 147 games, ranking sixth all-time in games played, eighth in assists, and 13th in points at Providence College upon his departure.[11] He accumulated 154 penalty minutes, reflecting a gritty style suited to professional hockey. Although he did not earn individual conference awards, his steady progression underscored his reliability as a forward. Following graduation in 2000, the Oilers transitioned him directly to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, for the 2000–01 season.[1]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Providence College | 35 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 36 |
| 1997–98 | Providence College | 36 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 20 |
| 1998–99 | Providence College | 38 | 14 | 37 | 51 | 42 |
| 1999–00 | Providence College | 38 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 56 |
| Total | Providence College | 147 | 56 | 97 | 153 | 154 |
AHL progression
Following his four-year collegiate career at Providence College, where he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the eighth round (195th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Fernando Pisani transitioned to professional hockey by signing an entry-level contract with the Oilers organization.[9] He was assigned to Edmonton's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, for the 2000–01 season, marking his professional debut.[7] In his rookie AHL campaign, Pisani adapted to the professional level, appearing in 52 regular-season games for Hamilton and recording 12 goals, 13 assists, and 25 points while accumulating 28 penalty minutes.[1] His performance demonstrated solid two-way play, contributing positively to the Bulldogs' efforts with a +2 plus-minus rating, though the team did not advance deep into the playoffs that year.[7] Pisani showed significant improvement during the 2001–02 season, establishing himself as a key offensive contributor for Hamilton. He played in 79 regular-season games, tallying 26 goals and 34 assists for a career-high 60 points and 60 penalty minutes, along with a team-leading +24 plus-minus.[1] In the playoffs, he appeared in all 15 games as the Bulldogs advanced to the North Division Finals, where they lost to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in seven games; Pisani contributed 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points during the run.[7] The 2002–03 season represented the culmination of Pisani's AHL progression, as he split time between Hamilton and the Edmonton Oilers. With the Bulldogs, he suited up for 41 regular-season games, posting 17 goals, 15 assists, and 32 points with 24 penalty minutes and a +14 plus-minus.[1] His strong minor-league production earned him a midseason call-up to the NHL, where he made his debut with Edmonton on January 8, 2003, signaling the end of his primary AHL development phase and the beginning of a full-time NHL role in the subsequent season.[7]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 52 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 28 |
| 2001–02 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 79 | 26 | 34 | 60 | 60 |
| 2002–03 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 41 | 17 | 15 | 32 | 24 |
| AHL Totals | 172 | 55 | 62 | 117 | 112 |
NHL career
Edmonton Oilers tenure
Fernando Pisani, born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, was selected by the hometown Edmonton Oilers in the eighth round, 195th overall, of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.[2] After four seasons at Providence College in the NCAA, where he tallied 56 goals and 97 assists for 153 points in 147 games,[1] and subsequent time in the American Hockey League with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Pisani received his first NHL call-up during the 2002–03 season. He appeared in 35 games that year, scoring 8 goals and 5 assists for 13 points while averaging 10:43 of ice time per game.[1][2] Pisani transitioned to a full-time NHL role in 2003–04, suiting up for 76 games and notching 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points, including a career-best 22.0% shooting percentage.[1][7] The 2004–05 NHL lockout interrupted his progress, prompting a return to the AHL with the Edmonton Roadrunners, where he recorded 17 goals and 25 assists in 69 games.[7] Upon the league's resumption, Pisani enjoyed a breakout 2005–06 campaign, playing all 80 games and achieving career highs of 18 goals, 19 assists, and 37 points, with a +5 plus-minus rating as a reliable third- or fourth-line winger.[1][7] Over his entire regular-season tenure with the Oilers from 2002–03 to 2009–10, he appeared in 402 games, accumulating 80 goals, 73 assists, and 153 points, along with 190 penalty minutes.[2]2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs
In the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Fernando Pisani emerged as an unexpected standout for the Edmonton Oilers, leading the team and the entire NHL with 14 goals in 24 games, alongside 4 assists for 18 points, a +4 plus/minus rating, and 10 penalty minutes.[9][12] His scoring outburst was particularly remarkable given his modest regular-season output of 18 goals, as he had spent much of the prior year in the minors and entered the postseason as a depth forward on the third line.[3] Pisani's five game-winning goals tied for the playoff lead and underscored his clutch contributions during Edmonton's run to the Final.[9] In the first round against the Detroit Red Wings, Pisani tallied five goals, including two in Game 5 to help secure a 4-3 victory that advanced the eighth-seeded Oilers in six games.[13] His power-play goal in Game 1 set an early tone, contributing to Edmonton's upset win over the top-seeded Red Wings.[14] Against the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Semifinals, Pisani scored three goals, notably the game-winner in Game 6 to clinch the series 4-1, as the Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit in that contest.[15] His consistent presence on the scoresheet helped Edmonton maintain momentum against the physical Ducks defense. Pisani continued his hot streak in the Western Conference Final versus the San Jose Sharks, notching four goals in the six-game series victory, including multi-goal efforts in Games 1 and 2 that propelled the Oilers to a 2-0 lead.[13] Entering the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes with eight goals already, he opened the series with a quick strike just 36 seconds into Game 1, though Edmonton fell 4-3 in overtime.[16] In Game 5, trailing 3-1 in the series, Pisani scored the first shorthanded overtime goal in Stanley Cup Final history at 2:33 of the extra frame, forcing a Game 6 and keeping Edmonton's championship hopes alive with a 4-3 win.[16][17] Despite adding three more goals in the Final, including one in the decisive Game 7 loss, Pisani's breakaway chance late in the third period was denied by Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, preserving Carolina's 3-1 victory and clinching their first Stanley Cup.[18][13] His playoff performance transformed him into a cult hero in Edmonton, symbolizing the Oilers' resilient underdog run to the brink of the title.[17]Health challenges and later Oilers years
In September 2007, Pisani was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that caused severe symptoms including fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain, forcing him to miss the first 26 games of the 2007-08 NHL season.[19] After undergoing treatment and medication adjustments, he returned to the lineup on November 27, 2007, against the Vancouver Canucks, marking an emotional comeback for the Edmonton native.[20] In 56 games that season, Pisani recorded 13 goals and 9 assists for 22 points, contributing to the Oilers' playoff push despite the health setback.[2] The following season, on November 17, 2008, Pisani suffered a fractured ankle during a 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings after sliding awkwardly into the boards, sidelining him for approximately six to eight weeks.[21] This injury limited him to 38 games in 2008-09, where he managed 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points, a decline from his prior output amid ongoing recovery from colitis.[2] The ankle fracture compounded his physical challenges, as he had already dealt with the chronic effects of ulcerative colitis, which required consistent medical management to maintain his playing status.[22] Entering the 2009-10 season, Pisani missed the first 13 games due to a strained back injury sustained during training camp, further testing his resilience.[23] A recurrence of ulcerative colitis in November 2009 led to additional absences, including a trip back to Edmonton for specialist care, restricting him to just 40 games overall.[24] In those appearances, he posted 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points, reflecting the cumulative toll of his health issues on performance.[2] Pisani's perseverance through these adversities highlighted his determination, though the Oilers did not re-sign him after the season, leading to his departure as a free agent.[24]Chicago Blackhawks stint
After leaving the Edmonton Oilers as an unrestricted free agent, Fernando Pisani signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on August 17, 2010.[7] The deal provided Pisani an opportunity to join a contending team following health setbacks that limited his play in Edmonton, where he had appeared in just 40 games during the 2009-10 season.[25] In the 2010-11 regular season, Pisani served primarily as a bottom-six forward for the Blackhawks, contributing on the third and fourth lines while averaging 12:34 of ice time per game.[2] He recorded 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points in 60 games, along with 10 penalty minutes and an even plus/minus rating; his 72 shots on goal yielded a 9.7% shooting percentage.[2][1] Pisani's role emphasized defensive reliability and penalty killing, though his offensive output reflected a player adjusting to a new team amid ongoing recovery from prior injuries.[7] The Blackhawks qualified for the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, facing the Vancouver Canucks in the first round. Pisani appeared in the first three games of the series, logging limited minutes but registering no points and a minus-1 rating before Chicago was eliminated in seven games.[1][7] His stint with the Blackhawks concluded at the end of the season, as he did not receive a contract extension and subsequently pursued opportunities overseas.[7]Post-playing career
Coaching positions
After retiring from professional hockey following the 2011–12 season, Fernando Pisani transitioned into coaching, beginning with university-level roles in Alberta. He joined the University of Alberta Golden Bears men's ice hockey team as an assistant coach for the 2013–14 season, a position he held through the 2015–16 campaign in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS, now U Sports) league.[26] During this period, Pisani contributed to the team's development, drawing on his NHL experience to mentor players in a program that emphasized skill progression and competitive play.[27] In September 2016, Pisani was hired by the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a development coach, a role focused on player evaluation, skill enhancement, and preparing prospects for higher levels of competition.[28] He remained with the Oil Kings in this capacity through the 2021–22 season, while also taking on additional youth coaching commitments, supporting the team's success, including multiple playoff appearances, by integrating professional-level training techniques into junior development.[26][6] Pisani has also been active in local Alberta youth hockey, serving as an assistant coach for teams in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL). Notable roles include assistant coach for the St. Albert Sabres Peewee squad in the 2018–19 season and the St. Albert Sabres U15 AAA team in 2021–22.[26] From the 2022–23 season onward, he has coached the St. Albert Raiders U18 AAA team as an assistant, a position he held through the 2024–25 season.[26]Scouting roles
Following his various coaching positions in junior and amateur hockey, Fernando Pisani transitioned into scouting with the Montréal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). In August 2023, the Canadiens hired him as an amateur scout, marking his entry into professional hockey's scouting ranks.[8][29] Pisani served in this role during the 2023–24 season, focusing on the evaluation of prospective amateur players for the team's draft and development pipeline.[7] His appointment was part of the Canadiens' efforts to strengthen their scouting department with experienced former players familiar with player development pathways.[30] By the 2024–25 season, Pisani had returned to coaching duties with the St. Albert Raiders U18 AAA team in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL), indicating a brief but notable stint in NHL scouting.[7]Personal life
Family and heritage
Fernando Pisani was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Italian immigrant parents from Serra San Bruno in southern Italy.[10] His father, Cosimo Pisani, immigrated to Canada in 1965 at the age of 19 to seek work and later co-owned a home-building company in Edmonton.[10] His mother, Maria Pisani, arrived in Edmonton at age 7 with her own parents from the same Italian town and married Cosimo after settling in Canada.[10] The family became part of Edmonton's Italian-Canadian community, which numbered around 30,000 members at the time.[10] Pisani grew up as one of four children, including an older brother, Sandro, who played professional hockey and later coached youth teams, as well as two sisters.[10] He is married to Heidi Pisani and has three children: a daughter, Alexa, and two sons, Teo and Jaxon.[31] His sons are pursuing hockey careers, with Teo playing for the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in the 2024–25 season and Jaxon signing a Western Hockey League scholarship and development agreement with the Everett Silvertips in June 2024.[31][32] The family resides in the Edmonton area, where Pisani's parents built their home and later expanded it.[10]Community involvement
Pisani has been actively involved in Edmonton Oilers community programs as an alumnus, focusing on youth hockey accessibility and development. He co-leads the 2nd Shift initiative, which connects participants from introductory learn-to-play programs to competitive minor hockey, helping to retain young players in the sport.[33] In the Colby's Kids program, launched in 2021 to honor late Oilers forward Colby Cave, Pisani serves as a lead instructor alongside fellow alumni Jason Chimera and Kyle Brodziak. The program offers affordable on-ice sessions and skill development for youth, emphasizing inclusive participation. Pisani has highlighted its goals, stating, "The overall objective of Colby's Kids is to create an atmosphere for the participants that is positive and memorable... It's important to continue to stimulate the desire to play hockey in Canada and to provide families the opportunity to experience the game at its best."[34][35] Pisani frequently participates in charity hockey events to support local causes. In 2015, he co-organized a benefit game at Servus Place in St. Albert between Oilers alumni and RCMP officers, raising funds for the families of fallen officers Const. David Wynn and Aux. Const. Derek Bond, who were shot in a local incident; Pisani noted the event's personal resonance, saying, "It was something that hit really close to home and I wanted to do something."[36] He has also joined the Hockey Helps The Homeless tournament, an annual Edmonton event featuring former NHL players that has raised millions of dollars since 2013 for shelters and support services like the Jasper Place Wellness Centre and the Mustard Seed.[37][38] Other efforts include playing in alumni games for community foundations, such as a 2022 matchup against Montreal Canadiens alumni in Strathcona County to benefit the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, and a 2013 charity event supporting cancer research through a melanoma awareness game.[39][40]Career statistics and achievements
Professional statistics
Fernando Pisani's professional career spanned the American Hockey League (AHL) and the National Hockey League (NHL), where he accumulated totals of 87 goals and 82 assists in 462 regular-season games.[9] In the AHL, he recorded 55 goals and 62 assists over 172 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs from 2000 to 2003.[1]NHL Regular Season Statistics
Pisani debuted in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2002–03 season, establishing himself as a reliable depth forward known for his two-way play. His most productive regular-season years came between 2003 and 2008, averaging over 30 points per season while contributing defensively. Health issues, including a back injury, limited his play in later seasons with Edmonton and his single year with the Chicago Blackhawks.[9]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | EDM | 35 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 10 | +9 |
| 2003–04 | EDM | 76 | 16 | 14 | 30 | 46 | +14 |
| 2005–06 | EDM | 80 | 18 | 19 | 37 | 42 | +5 |
| 2006–07 | EDM | 77 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 40 | –1 |
| 2007–08 | EDM | 56 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 28 | –5 |
| 2008–09 | EDM | 38 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 14 | –1 |
| 2009–10 | EDM | 40 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | –16 |
| 2010–11 | CHI | 60 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 10 | 0 |
| Career | 462 | 87 | 82 | 169 | 200 | +5 |
NHL Playoff Statistics
Pisani's playoff performance peaked during the 2006 Stanley Cup run with Edmonton, where he scored 14 goals in 24 games, including five game-winners, helping the Oilers reach the Finals. His overall playoff totals reflect limited appearances outside that run, with just three games in 2011 for Chicago.[9]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | EDM | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | –2 |
| 2005–06 | EDM | 24 | 14 | 4 | 18 | 10 | +4 |
| 2010–11 | CHI | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | –1 |
| Career | 33 | 15 | 4 | 19 | 12 | +1 |