Bishai playing for Ilves, March 2008

Mike Bishai (born May 30, 1979 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey centre, who currently plays for Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga. Bishai was never drafted, but has played in the National Hockey League with the Edmonton Oilers.

[edit] Amateur career

Bishai played two seasons with the South Surrey Eagles in the BCHL, before moving on to Western Michigan University, where he played four seasons. At the tale end of the 2001–02 season, Bishai signed with Edmonton and was assigned to their AHL-affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs.

[edit] Professional career

Bishai played most of his early career in the AHL, but he also played 14 NHL games with the Oilers, and saw a brief stint with the Columbus Cottonmouths of the ECHL. He also spent time in the Phoenix Coyotes organization before joining Moscow Dynamo for the 2006–07 season. For the season 2007–2008 he was signed to Ilves Tampere.

Bishai is most remembered for a bizarre fight on Atlanta Thrashers player Serge Aubin on February 11, 2004. The fight, during the brawl, was unbelievable because Aubin tossed Oilers rookie Mike Bishai into the Atlanta bench. Bishai got to his feet and continued to trade punches with Aubin, while stunned Thrashers looked on unsure what to do.

Oilers coach Craig MacTavish commented on that fight and said, "...As many years as I've been in the game, I've never seen a guy fighting standing up in the opposition's bench...That's like diving into somebody else's foxhole."

[edit] Awards

• CCHA Second All-Star Team (2001)
• NCAA West Second All-American Team (2001)

[edit] External links

• Mike Bishai's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Mike Bishai's biography at Legends of Hockey