Comrie back, hungry for action

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This article was published 03/01/2018 (2922 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Eric Comrie is ready to take back his crease — and it appears the Manitoba Moose will give him plenty of opportunity, even if it means pushing the AHL’s hottest goalie to the bench.

Comrie, 22, is considered a big part of the future of the Winnipeg Jets. The second-round pick from the 2013 NHL draft is in his third pro season and got an extended stay with the big club earlier this season, backing up Connor Hellebuyck when Steve Mason was felled by a concussion.

Comrie made one start in his three weeks with the Jets, a tough 6-4 loss to the Panthers in Florida. But the future remains bright, and that means giving him plenty of opportunity to shine with the Moose, where he is 9-4-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. Comrie returned to the AHL last month, but suffered a lower-body injury in his first game back, leading to nearly three weeks on the shelf.

Add it all up and veteran netminder Michael Hutchinson has had the bulk of the work over the past six weeks and has been nothing short of sensational. Hutchinson, 27, was recently named the AHL’s goalie of the month for December after earning the same award in November. He’s 14-2-2 this season with a 1.77 GAA and .947 SV% in 18 starts with the Moose, who are on top of the league standings with an overall record of 24-6-3.

However, Hutchinson is on an expiring contract and likely not part of the organization’s future. That means his workload is likely going to be lightened in the coming weeks with Comrie’s return to full health.

“Keep your eyes on the process here. We’re here to develop. Obviously Michael has been playing extremely well and the results are there. So he did earn the right to play a lot. But we still need to develop and play our guy,” Moose head coach Pascal Vincent said Wednesday following practice.

Manitoba plays in Chicago on Friday night, then visits Iowa on Saturday. Vincent said the goalies will split those games.

“We’re going to work in blocks, and the next block is those next two games and we’ll go from there,” Vincent said.

He admitted Hutchinson has played more than planned with Comrie’s call-up and then injury.

“There’s no way he would have been playing those minutes if Eric was there. It would have been more 50-50,” Vincent said.

“But he took advantage of the situation. And that’s what you expect from those players.”

Vincent said he’s happy to have Comrie back not only for what he brings in games, but also how he drives teammates to be better.

“He’s a hard-working guy. He pushes the pace in practices, just in the way he does work. To have him ready to go is just a great option that we have,” Vincent said.

Comrie said he’s eager to get into some action after only playing twice over a nearly six-week span.

“It’s unfortunate to get hurt and not be able to play, of course. I would have wished to be playing every single game. But at the end of the day, I have to take care of my body and let it rest. But I’ve had some good practices here and feel ready to go whenever called upon,” Comrie said.

He wouldn’t reveal specifics of his injury, only to say it’s something that had been bothering him and then tightened up and got worse, leading to the decision for “a little break.”

Comrie marvelled at the play of Hutchinson, along with all of the players in front of him. It’s a refreshing change for a player who was often under siege during the past two seasons as the Moose were one of the worst teams in the league.

“I feel like our team has really grown,” Comrie said.

“We have a very, very different-looking team than we did the last two years. A lot older, a lot more mature. I just feel like it’s just a really good atmosphere around the rink, and that helps us play better as well.”

Comrie said his time with the Jets has left him even more hungry for a return. Watching close friend Hellebuyck excel at that level this year has been rewarding and motivating.

“I knew how good of a goaltender he was,” Comrie said.

“At the end of the day, my goal is to play in the National Hockey League. I want to do that.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @mikemcintyrewpg