Comrie’s working out just fine for Manitoba

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This article was published 09/03/2017 (3162 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There has been no shortage of questions — along with plenty of angst from fans — about the Winnipeg Jets’ goaltending situation this season.

But down on the farm, there is no doubt about who the No. 1 puckstopper is and his ability to fill that role. Eric Comrie is having a strong season in net for the Manitoba Moose and looks to have taken another step towards what many observers believe is an eventual NHL career.

The Free Press sat down with Comrie on Thursday to get his thoughts on several topics during his second pro season.

ON HIS DEVELOPMENT

He may have sweated the small stuff last year, but Comrie said he has learned to handle the twists and turns of a typical season.

“I feel a lot better than I did last year, especially mentally. I feel more relaxed, like I’m letting the process just happen naturally. I’m not trying to change what’s going on. I’m a 21-year-old goaltender. I can’t change what happens,” he said.

Comrie has developed into a workhorse, making his 40th start of the season on Thursday night at the MTS Centre as his team hosted the Charlotte Checkers. He’s appeared in 20 of the past 23 games since Ondrej Pavelec was recalled by the Winnipeg Jets.

This is truly a case where numbers don’t tell the whole story. Comrie had a solid rookie campaign last year on a dreadful Moose team that only won 26 of its 76 games. He posted a 13-25-7 record with a 3.12 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage while often being under siege.

This year, Comrie is playing behind a slightly improved Moose squad that had won 23 of 59 games entering play Thursday but still has its share of struggles, especially when it comes to the blue line and a lack of defensive depth. He’s got a 14-19-2 record with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.

“People look at stats and all that stuff. I’m just trying to get better every single night. We’re a young team; we’re getting better and better. Just like myself — I feel like I’ve gotten better and better and my development has continued,” Comrie said.

ON WORKING WITH PAVELEC

Comrie said he saw no signs of pouting or a “woe-is-me” attitude when Pavelec suddenly lost his starting job and was dispatched to the Moose out of training camp. What Comrie did see was a motivated veteran who ended up being a strong mentor.

“First of all, he’s one of my favourite goalie partners I’ve ever had in my whole life. I think he’s an unbelievable guy, he is so funny, such a great guy to have around the room. He did really good for us, played some really good games,” Comrie said. “He handled it extremely well and for myself, he’s a pretty relaxed guy, I think it helped me relax and understand that hey, it’s a marathon not a sprint. You can’t hang your head on one single game. You can’t worry about the little things, you gotta worry about the big picture and just get better every day.”

ON THE JETS’ GOALTENDING

Comrie said he sympathizes with the up-and-down season of Connor Hellebuyck, who spent most of last year with the Moose before winning the No. 1 Jets job this season.

“I’m an employee of the team, but I’m also a fan of the Winnipeg Jets. I watch a lot of their games. I’m a huge Helly supporter. I played with him last year; I think the world of him. I know how good of a goaltender he is. He’s a young goalie in the NHL. They’re a very good team but they give up some chances. I think it’s just some nights he’s playing unbelievable and some nights goals go in,” Comrie said. “That’s the nature of hockey. I think he’s an unbelievable goalie and he’ll turn around and have a great future.”

ON TAKING THE NEXT STEP

Time is ticking on this season. But Comrie admits he hopes the big club comes calling sooner rather than later.

“I mean, I want it. I feel like I’m ready for it. I want to be up there,” Comrie said. “But also down here we’re trying to make the playoffs as well. At the end of the day I don’t control what happens. I just gotta go out there and get better every single day and play my game and let everything else take care of itself.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca