Mike Comrie wasn't necessarily born to be a hockey player, but he has emerged as an excellent one. Born September 11, 1980 in Edmonton, Alberta, Mike is the son of Bill Comrie, the entrepreneur who founded The Brick, Canada's largest retailer of furniture, mattresses, home electronics and appliances. Mike Comrie excelled in minor hockey but never grew into that 'traditional' hockey body. After leading the Alberta Junior Hockey League in goals, assists and points playing for the St. Albert Saints during 1997-98, Comrie was chosen not just the AJHL MVP, but Canadian Junior A Player of the Year. In 1998, Comrie left Edmonton for the University of Michigan. During his two seasons with the Wolverines, Mike was a First Team All-Star in the CCHA and a Second Team pick in the NCAA, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's outstanding player. Mike left U.S. college hockey and signed with the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League for the 2000-2001 season. While leading the WHL in scoring, Comrie signed with the Edmonton Oilers, joining the NHL on December 30, 2000.



Mike is not the first Comrie to play with Edmonton; older brother Paul played 15 games with his hometown Oilers during 1999-2000. Although just 5'9" and 175 pounds, Mike Comrie plays much larger, banging, crashing and doing whatever is necessary to get to the net. It paid off. In his sophomore season with Edmonton, Comrie collected 33 goals and 27 assists. In 2002-2003, a season abbreviated by injury for Mike, he still bettered 20 goals and 50 points before being dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers in the early stages of the 2003-04 season. Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, Comrie went on to play a mere 21 games with the club before being dealt to the Phoenix Coyotes in a trade that brought veteran netminder Sean Burke to Philly.