This is devestating news to me ... as both a Rochester Americans fan from way
back,
and a Solar Bears fan since they entered the IHL in 95-96, it hurts twice as
much.

Craif Fisher was one of four key players the Solar Bears went out and got that
first
year ... Allan Bester, Hubie McDonough, Mark Beaufait, and Craig Fisher. Those
four
took the Bears to the Turner Cup in it's first year. Craig Fisher scored EVERY
NIGHT. He had 74 goals, and about 25 or so assists, but he was a monster on the
ice. I met him before I ever saw him play at a season ticket holder pre-season
party in that first year. He was one of the nicest guys I ever met, had a smile
that wouldn't quit, and a gleam in his eye in anticipation of playing on the
Solar
Bears.

He helped carry the fledgling team to the Finals, where we lost in four straight
-
three of those games in OT. It was a crushing way to go, but even afterwards,
he
was still upbeat. He signed a pro deal with the Islanders after that
unbelievable
season, and bounced around after that, but oh what a year that was.

I've been following his career ever since, and you can imagine my joy when I
heard
my old home team, the Amerks, had picked him up.

If someone's getting a card together for him ... please ... sign my name, and
put
under it that there's quite a few Solar Bears fans in tears at the end of a
career
of one of the greatest players ever to put on a Solar Bears uniform.

C'mon, Amerks, win the Calder Cup for Craig.

--
William "Bill" Highfield, St Cloud, Florida, USA

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http://www.kua.net/~magicfan/

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