Comrie marks 100 pro games with NHL debut

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This article was published 06/04/2017 (3339 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Eric Comrie has shown calmness and composure — in and out of the net — since he started his journey with the Winnipeg Jets organization in 2013.

On Wednesday, though, he acted and spoke just as you’d expect from a 21-year-old kid whose world had been turned upside down — in a good way.

Comrie was a bundle of energy when he reached his locker in the dressing room after a 50-minute workout with his new Jets teammates at Nationwide Arena. Facing cameras and a few reporters, he paced nervously, unsure where to stand, confused about where to doff his gear, and joking about the very real potential for nonsensical replies due to the fact he barely got any sleep Tuesday night.

Welcome to the NHL, Mr. Comrie.

The Edmonton product was called up by the Jets from the Manitoba Moose and will make his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.

Comrie, a former junior star with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL and a Jets second-round pick (59th overall) in 2013, has already played 99 games in the AHL. His 100th pro game will be his most memorable, by far.

“It’s a pretty exciting time for myself and my family,” said Comrie, who is 17-25-2 with a 2.98 goals-against average and .906 save percentage with two shutouts in 47 AHL games this season.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind and I’m just excited to get going. I’ve got some family coming in, so I’m really pumped up and looking to get my feet wet.”

Comrie, who stopped 35 shots in Manitoba’s 3-1 triumph over the Grand Rapids Griffins at the MTS Centre on Tuesday night before rising early to hop on a plane, said his focus was on finishing strong with the Moose and not on a possible promotion.

“I really wasn’t (paying) too much attention to it. I was watching the games and I know (Michael Hutchinson and Connor Hellebuyck) are playing really well, the team is playing well right now,” said Comrie, who grew up playing against, and with, Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “For myself, I was just focusing on staying down there, getting better and trying to do the best I could for the Moose.

“It’s been the same thing as last year. I was very fortunate to play a lot of games. (Thursday) will be my 100th pro game, which will be my first NHL game. It’s exciting and kind of cool at the same time.”

Jets head coach Paul Maurice had elected to rotate Hellebuyck and Hutchinson the past five games, with great success. Winnipeg (38-35-7) won its fifth straight Tuesday night, knocking off the St. Louis Blues 5-2. Rookie winger Patrik Laine led the way with his 35th and 36th goals of the season, the second coming on a blistering one-timer off a pass from Mathieu Perreault, while Hutchinson stopped 24 shots.

Maurice said Comrie has earned an opportunity to start for the big club.

“He’s had two really good years, battled hard and played big minutes,” he said. “So the next time Eric gets into a game (after Thursday), it won’t be his first. He’s a guy that, at his size, he needs to play a few years pro to get the feel of the game.

“Excellent low coverage, real good positioning in the net and we’ve known all along — it’s not something that we’ve learned — that he’s as high a character a person as we have in the organization. With his compete level and positive attitude, there should be a payoff for doing all the right things all of the time. But you have to play well, and he’s played well.”

The Jets battle the playoff-bound Blue Jackets (49-22-8) — currently third in the Metropolitan Division but 0-3-1 in their last four contests — and then head home for their final game of the season Saturday at the MTS Centre when the Nashville Predators come to town.

Comrie said he was enjoying a post-game meal with family when he got the call from the Jets.

“(Assistant GM Craig Heisinger) called me and told me I was coming up and playing (today), so that was a pretty exciting thing. I instantly called my family, got home, packed and got to bed around 2 a.m., was up at 4:45, flew here and practised,” he said.

Comrie, whose brothers Mike and Paul both played in the NHL, was just a tyke when he convinced himself he wanted to stop pucks for a living.

“I was probably a lot younger than most people. I was forced into it by my brothers,” he said. “They had to take some shots on me when I was younger. I was a little lucky I got to be around NHL players at a very young age. Probably ever since I was three, four or five years old, I’ve wanted to be an NHL goalie.”

Myers a maybe

Defenceman Tyler Myers, who has missed 63 games with a lower-body injury, participated in all the drills Wednesday and looked quick and agile. Afterward, he indicated there’s a chance he’ll play before the curtain comes down on the season.

“Starting to move a little bit better. I said it about a week ago, but it’s gonna be pretty close. I would love to jump in for the last one,” he said. “Most likely it won’t be (today). If I’m ready to go, just for the mental side of things, it’d be great to get one in. But obviously I don’t want to come back if I’m not ready.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPJasonBell