Mike Comrie

Michael William "Mike" Comrie (born September 11, 1980) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. Mike Comrie was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and attended Jasper Place High School. Comrie was drafted in the third round, ninety-first overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by his hometown Edmonton Oilers out of the University of Michigan. Comrie left the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Kootenay Ice midway through the 2000–01 season, signing a $10-million three year deal with the Oilers, which was well above the league maximum for 2001 draftees of $1.13 million a year, per year, over the years (due to a loophole established by Mike Van Ryn). There, he would instantly become a fan favourite and hometown hero. He was an offensive threat during his first couple seasons with the team, tallying a total of 133 points in 192 games from 2001 to 2003. After a lacklustre training camp in the pre-season Comrie's status as local hero in Edmonton started to change dramatically, after he elected to hold out in a contract dispute for more than 30 games into the 2003–04 season. The Oilers then-General Manager, Kevin Lowe, was reportedly willing to trade Comrie to the Anaheim Ducks