He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with the 27th overall pick in the 1987 NHL Entry draft. He played 17 games with the Kings and on February 22, 1989 he was traded along with Wayne McBean to the New York Islanders in exchange for Kelly Hrudey. He played 2 seasons with the Islanders. During his time with them, Fitzpatrick contracted Eosinophilia–myalgia syndrome, which is a potentially fatal neurological disease and it cost him almost all of the 1990-91 NHL season. He was able to recover and he returned to the ice in February 1992. He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his efforts in returning to the league after the illness in 1992.