Ben Fisk may be officially stepping away from the playing field, but the 31-year-old Vancouver FC midfielder has no intention of walking away from the game.
In fact, it was Fisk’s desire to contribute to Canadian soccer in a new way that helped sway his decision to officially announce his retirement from playing on Thursday, closing the book on an illustrious 14-year career that spanned continents and saw the native of East Vancouver, B.C. carve a unique legacy on home soil in the Canadian Premier League (CPL).
As he hangs up his boots, Fisk will take on a new role in his hometown club’s front office as Vancouver’s newly minted Director of Partnerships.
“This wasn’t an easy choice,” Fisk said of his decision to retire. “Stepping away from something that has been my whole identity for so long has been incredibly difficult. But I believe this is the right decision for my family and I at this time, and I look forward to finding new ways to give back and continue contributing to the growth of the game across Canada and in my hometown of Vancouver.”
Few players know more about soccer in Vancouver and Canada than Fisk. An alum of such local clubs Grandview Legion Football Club, Britannia Micro Footie, the Italian Canadian Sports Federation, Marpole Soccer Club and the Vancouver Selects, Fisk began representing Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s prospecting side at the age of 13, before he was recruited into the club’s residency program at the age of 16. He made his professional debut for the Whitecaps Reserves in the MLS Reserve League in 2011.
Like many Canadian talents of his generation, and the generations before him, Fisk eventually had to leave home to continue his pursuit of a playing career long-term. His professional journey took him around the world, with stints in the United States, Spain, and the Republic of Ireland from 2013 to 2018. He earned recognition at the club level, like winning the League of Ireland Cup and competing in the UEFA Europa League with Derry City FC, and internationally as well, representing Canada’s Men’s National Team on two occasions in 2017.
It was only in 2019 that Fisk was once again able to play on home soil full-time, following the launch of the CPL.
Fisk became a cornerstone of the league over its first six seasons, representing Pacific FC, Atlético Ottawa and Cavalry FC between 2019 and 2023 before spending his final season playing in front of family and friends in Langley, B.C. with the Eagles in 2024.
His impact on the league was profound, not only as a player but as a leader who embodied the spirit of the CPL through his passion for the game, hardworking nature and community-driven mindset.
“Ben is a player that brings professionalism and standards to the daily environment,” said current Pacific FC head coach James Merriman, who was an assistant coach with the Tridents while Fisk played on Vancouver Island, where he led the team and league in assists in its first season, and became a respected figure in the locker room.
The sophomore year of CPL action saw Fisk take on a new role and a new team, when he became the first signing in club history for Atlético Ottawa and wore the captain’s armband for the side as he helped guide it through its first year of action. It was also in 2020 that he became a founding Board Member of the Professional Footballers Association Canada, the union that represents CPL players.
It was with Cavalry that Fisk made the bulk of his CPL appearances. Fisk joined the side as a mid-season arrival in 2021 and remained with the Calgary-based club through 2023, lifting the CPL Shield as regular season winners and helping the club reach the CPL Final in his last year.
During his time in Calgary, Fisk became familiar with the club’s Sunset/Sunrise program, which helps players from its first team develop their off-field business acumen by way of placements in Cavalry’s front office. Fisk’s passion for the business side of the sport began to take shape, planting the seed for his eventual permanent transition to a front-office role.
“Ben has all the attributes to be successful on the business side of football,” said Mason Trafford, Fisk’s former Cavalry teammate and the club’s current Commercial and Marketing Director. “He’s smart, engaging, and personable and I know he’ll be successful in his new role in the front office of VFC.”
Fisk’s career came full circle in early 2024, when he returned to Vancouver to join VFC.
“It still feels surreal,” he said of the opportunity to wrap up his playing days in his hometown.
Now, VFC is giving Fisk the chance to start the next chapter of his football journey. Already a pioneer in the CPL and a dedicated and passionate ambassador for Canadian soccer as a whole, Fisk will continue to endeavour to leave an enduring impact on the game he loves. It’s clear his influence will be felt within soccer for years to come.
“This is an opportunity I don’t take lightly,” he said. “I want to continue to inspire young soccer players across Canada to dream big and follow their love of the game wherever it may take them. I started my journey here at home, and now I get to finish it back where it all began. There’s something serendipitous about that.”
Vancouver FC recently launched Season Memberships for the upcoming 2025 Canadian Premier League Season. Fan looking to join the Eagles at the Langley Events Centre for the upcoming season can purchase tickets here.
