Rory Brian Fitzpatrick (born January 11, 1975) is an American politician and former professional ice hockey defenseman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers.

[2] Fitzpatrick spent his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sudbury Wolves, and was selected in the second round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 47th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens.

[citation needed] After completing his junior eligibility, Fitzpatrick made his professional debut in the American Hockey League (AHL), although he eventually joined the Canadiens and played 42 games.

After that demotion, Fitzpatrick would only play one more game in a Blues uniform, spending the bulk of his time in the minor leagues before being traded to the Nashville Predators.

[citation needed] Fitzpatrick's luck did not improve with the Predators, one of the NHL's newest expansion teams, and he was sent to Edmonton after only two games.

[citation needed] In July 2004, Fitzpatrick filed for salary arbitration, but was able to reach a deal with the Sabres before the hearing.

[citation needed] After returning with the Sabres for 2005–06, Fitzpatrick then moved on to the Vancouver Canucks the following season and secured a role as a depth defenseman playing in 58 games and appearing in the playoffs.

Contributors to this goal sent the idea across the Internet in the hopes of having Fitzpatrick voted in as one of the two starting defensemen for the Western Conference.

[9] The final voting results on January 13, 2007, saw Fitzpatrick finish in third place behind Scott Niedermayer and Nicklas Lidström, meaning he did not start in the All-Star game.