OTTAWA — Ottawa Senators centre Mike Fisher confirmed Monday morning he is engaged to country music star Carrie Underwood. Underwood, 26, and the Ottawa Senators forward have dated for more than a year after being introduced by one of her band members.
Surrounded by his family and friends, Fisher, 29, popped the question at his home Sunday afternoon before texting the good news to many of his close friends later in the day, according to a family friend.
“He was pretty excited.” said the source, who did not want to be identified. “She’s a great gal and I think they’re made for each other.”
News of their engagement erupted online Sunday and a number of minor celebrity blogs and websites also picked up on the Twitter rumour mill Sunday night. The hockey star’s Wikipedia page had been updated Sunday night to say the couple was engaged.
Underwood — who was raised in Muskogee, Okla., and spends a lot of time in Nashville — is one of the hottest singers today.
Until recently, Fisher, was reluctant to discuss his relationship with the former American Idol winner, but he recently talked about her on The Sens Show, a web news program controlled by the team.
“Obviously, it’s tough with our schedules to see each other, but we find a way to make it work,” he said. “She doesn’t get too many days off — a lot less days off than I get. She’s always going. She’s talented and she’s getting rewarded for it. That’s good to see.”
On the liner notes for the CD Play On, Underwood expresses her love for Fisher, writing, “Thank you #12,” referring to his hockey jersey number. “You are the most amazing addition to my life. I thank God for you every day. . . . xoxo Carrie.”
In a conversation recently with Ellen Degeneres on her talk show, Underwood talked about her relationship with Fisher as a large photo of the Sens forward was flashed behind them. “Close to a year now. That’s the longest relationship I’ve had,” she told Degeneres of the romance with Fisher. “I joke and say my dogs are the longest relationship ever.”
Underwood is a devout Christian and one of her biggest hits from her previous CD was Jesus Take The Wheel.
Fisher is also a Christian and during the off-season devotes his time to hockey camps in his hometown of Peterborough and in Kingston through Hockey Ministries International.
Carrie Underwood rep said to PEOPLE: “I’m happy to confirm that Carrie Underwood is engaged to Mike Fisher, and the couple couldn’t be happier.” “No wedding date has been set at this time.”
