He played parts of five seasons for the Islanders and became the first player in NHL playoff history to score two shorthanded goals on the same minor penalty, against the Pittsburgh Penguins on May 2, 1993, which also equaled the NHL record for shorthanded goals by a player in one game. He was selected as one of the original Florida Panthers in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft. Although he has been cast as a defensive forward in the NHL, he had his best scoring years in Miami and was one of the leaders in Florida's 1996Stanley Cup run. In those 1995–96 playoffs, Fitzgerald scored the decisive goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a 58-foot slapshot that found its way past Penguins goaltender Tom Barrasso.
He was briefly traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 1998 before signing as a free agent in the subsequent off-season with the Nashville Predators, who sought out his veteran leadership. Fitzgerald was named Nashville's first captain, serving in the capacity for four seasons. He subsequently played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had signed with the Maple Leafs to a two-year contract on July 18, 2002.[1] While with Toronto, Fitzgerald and his Maple Leafs teammate Gary Roberts both played in the 1,000th game of their careers on January 13, 2004.[2]
In the summer of 2004, Fitzgerald signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins. In July 2006, the Boston Bruins chose not to renew his contract. He announced his retirement after 17 NHL seasons on September 12, 2006.[3]
Executive career
In July 2007, Fitzgerald left NESN when he was named director of player development for the Pittsburgh Penguins.[4] In October 2007, he was then named as an assistant coach for the United States national team for Deutschland Cup, helping push them to second place.[5] On July 3, 2009, Fitzgerald was promoted within the Penguins organization to assistant general manager.[6]
On July 24, 2015, Fitzgerald was named assistant general manager for the New Jersey Devils.[7] On January 12, 2020, Fitzgerald was named interim general manager of the Devils after Ray Shero was fired.[8] On July 9, Fitzgerald was named executive vice president and full time general manager of the Devils. On January 23, 2024, he signed a multi-year contract with the Devils and was promoted to president of hockey operations also keeping his general manager duties.[9]
