Upon first glance, he’s perhaps the grittiest of players the Ottawa Senators send out onto the ice each night.

But the heart and soul makeup that defines Mike Fisher doesn’t begin and end with hockey. Not when you’re a guy who never forgets to count his blessings every day.

“A lot of it is my God-given abilities,” Fisher said when asked what drives him to excel on the ice. “We’re all given different things, and I think one of them is the determination I have. I don’t take my health for granted, and try to give it everything I have when I can.”

That drive turned Fisher, a “mostly offensive player” in junior hockey, into one of the Senators’ hardest hitting forwards.

“It’s a fun part of the game,” said Fisher. “I feel like if I’m playing physical, then usually I’m into the game and at my best and can make plays, too.”

Senators fans, who’ve voted him their favourite team player in ottawasenators.com polls the past two seasons, surely appreciate Fisher’s hard-nosed style.

“I guess I try to leave everything on the ice, and fans just appreciate effort and hard-working guys,” said Fisher, who’s clearly humbled by the fans’ support.

Fisher, a devout Christian, applies the same approach to life outside the rink. He’s often one of the first in line to help out someone in need.

“It’s rewarding and having a faith in God, too, for me it puts a perspective on things that are important, like trying to help others,” he said. “I feel blessed to be in the position I’m at, and I just want to help out if I can and try to give back.

“A lot of guys on the team are great that way. We’re all in a unique position, and it’s an honour to be able to help out.”