Mike Comrie

Early Life and Amateur Career

Mike Comrie was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, where he attended Jasper Place High School. His early hockey development included participation in the prestigious 1993 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from the Whitemud region of Edmonton. Comrie then moved to the United States to play collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan Wolverines. His performance at Michigan drew the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection by his hometown team. The Edmonton Oilers chose Comrie in the third round, ninety-first overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He left the university to play major junior hockey for the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for 37 games during the 2000-01 season, a strategic move that made him eligible for an immediate NHL promotion under the league's rules at the time.

NHL Career Beginnings with Edmonton

Comrie departed the WHL midway through the 2000-01 season to sign a unique three-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The deal was heavily structured with performance bonuses and had a potential value of $10 million, which was well above the standard league maximum for entry-level salaries at the time. This contract was made possible because Comrie, after leaving college, played one year of major junior hockey as an overage player, a loophole previously used by player Mike Van Ryn. Although entry-level salary restrictions still applied, this status allowed Comrie to sign with any team, and he chose Edmonton. He immediately became a hometown hero, providing significant offensive production for the Oilers. In his first two full NHL seasons from 2001 to 2003, Comrie tallied an impressive 133 points in 192 games, demonstrating his scoring touch and playmaking ability from the centre position.

Contract Dispute and Departure from Edmonton

The relationship between Comrie and the Oilers deteriorated during the 2003-04 season when he engaged in a contract holdout that lasted more than 30 games. This decision followed a lacklustre training camp and dramatically changed his standing with the fans and the organization. Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe negotiated a trade that would have sent Comrie to the Anaheim Ducks for prospect Corey Perry and a first-round draft pick. A contentious element of the proposed deal required Comrie to personally reimburse the Oilers $2.5 million, which was part of the bonus money he had earned from his initial contract. Comrie refused this condition, causing the trade to collapse. Shortly thereafter, in December 2003, he was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers. In exchange, the Oilers received defenceman Jeff Woywitka, a first-round selection in 2004 which became Rob Schremp, and a third-round selection in 2005 which became Danny Syvret.

Journeyman Years and Stanley Cup Run

Comrie's time with the Philadelphia Flyers was brief, spanning only 21 games before he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes acquired him in exchange for goaltender Sean Burke, forward Branko Radivojevic, and the rights to prospect Ben Eager. During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Comrie went overseas, signing with Färjestad BK of the Swedish Elitserien, though he played only ten games there before leaving in December 2004. He returned to Phoenix for the 2005-06 season and recorded his second career 30-goal campaign in the NHL. The Coyotes re-signed him to a one-year, $3 million contract in August 2006. His tenure in Arizona ended in January 2007 when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for prospect Alexei Kaigorodov. Comrie scored his first goal for Ottawa on January 9, 2007, against the Boston Bruins at Scotiabank Place, where his personal goal song was 'Black Gloves' by the band Goose. He played a significant role in the Senators' 2007 playoff run despite a serious shoulder injury that required local anesthetic to manage the pain, an injury so severe it prevented him from tying his own skates. Ottawa eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres, each in five games, to reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Anaheim Ducks in a 4-1 series decision.

Islanders, Oilers Return, and Final Seasons

On July 5, 2007, Comrie entered free agency and signed a one-year contract worth $3.375 million with the New York Islanders. Before the trade deadline in February 2008, the Islanders extended his stay with a new one-year deal worth $4 million. His second stint with the Senators began on February 20, 2009, when the Islanders traded him and defenceman Chris Campoli to Ottawa in exchange for forward Dean McAmmond and a first-round draft pick originally belonging to the San Jose Sharks. On September 10, 2009, Comrie returned to the Edmonton Oilers, signing a one-year contract worth $1.125 million. He chose to wear jersey number 91, his draft position, as his familiar number 89 was already taken by Sam Gagner. His return was memorable, as he assisted on all four goals and got into a fight during a 4-0 preseason win over the Florida Panthers, receiving a standing ovation from the Rexall Place crowd. His season was interrupted when he was placed on long-term injured reserve with mononucleosis in November, causing him to miss several weeks. He finished the 2009-10 season with 13 goals and 21 points in 43 games. The Oilers did not re-sign him, making him an unrestricted free agent again in July 2010.

Final NHL Season and Retirement

Mike Comrie signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 3, 2010, for $500,000. This move connected him to the franchise that had drafted his uncle, Fred Comrie, in 1973. On September 22, 2010, Comrie scored the first goal ever at the Penguins' new arena, the Consol Energy Center, 81 seconds into a preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. A nagging hip injury sidelined him for much of the regular season, limiting him to 21 games. He scored his only goal as a Penguin during the team's 82nd and final game of the season, into an empty net against the Atlanta Thrashers. This goal was historically the last scored at the Thrashers' Philips Arena before the team relocated to Winnipeg. After undergoing hip surgery for the third time, Comrie officially retired from professional hockey on February 13, 2012, ending a 13-year NHL career.

Post-Hockey Career in Finance

Following his retirement, Mike Comrie transitioned into the field of wealth management and financial advising. He took on a role as a principal at the firm HPM Partners, where he specializes in working with professional athletes. His work involves advising clients on investment strategies and comprehensive financial planning designed to secure their economic future after their sports careers conclude. This career shift leverages his personal understanding of the unique financial challenges and opportunities faced by high-earning athletes. Comrie has maintained a connection to the hockey community, making appearances on podcasts like 'Missin Curfew' where he discusses his career and current NHL topics. His professional move from the rink to the boardroom represents a common and often necessary path for athletes after their playing days are over.

Personal Life and Family Background

Mike Comrie comes from one of Edmonton's most prominent business families. His father, Bill Comrie, and his uncles Fred and John founded The Brick, a major Canadian furniture and appliance retailer. The company was sold in 2012 for a reported $700 million. His mother, Theresa, died of cancer in 1990 when Comrie was nine years old. He has two older siblings, a sister named Cathy and a brother named Paul, who had a brief playing stint with the Edmonton Oilers before Mike was drafted by the team. From his father's second marriage, Comrie has two younger half-brothers who also pursued hockey. Eric Comrie is a goaltender selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2013 NHL Draft, and Ty Comrie is a centre who has played professionally. Comrie was previously married to American actress and singer Hilary Duff. The couple began dating in 2007, announced their engagement in February 2010, and married on August 14, 2010, in Santa Barbara, California. They have one son, born on March 20, 2012. They announced their separation in January 2014, Duff filed for divorce in February 2015, and the divorce was finalized in February 2016. As of recent years, Comrie resides in the Los Angeles area and has been in a relationship with Brooke Grant, a former General Manager of the esports brand FaZe Clan. Both are involved in philanthropic activities.

Playing Style and Lasting Legacy

As a player, Mike Comrie was recognized for his offensive intelligence and deceptive style of play. He possessed above-average hockey sense, a quick and accurate shot, and the ability to make sharp, heads-up passes to create scoring chances. Despite a relatively small frame listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, he played with a noticeable feistiness and competitive edge, not shying away from physical play. He was able to score goals in clusters and served as a consistent offensive threat during his peak years. His legacy, particularly in his hometown of Edmonton, contains different and sometimes conflicting elements. He rocketed to local stardom with his early production and charismatic play, endearing himself to Oilers fans. The protracted contract dispute and subsequent trade request, however, created a lasting rift. As of 2026, he was ranked No. 56 on a fan-voted list of notable Oilers figures revived by the team's fanbase, an indication of the enduring and complex nature of his connection to the city and the franchise where his career began and ended.

Questions about Mike Comrie

What teams did Mike Comrie play for in the NHL?

Mike Comrie played for six NHL teams during his 13-year career. He began and ended his career with the Edmonton Oilers, playing for them from 2000 to 2004 and again in the 2009-10 season. In between, he played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Ottawa Senators (two separate stints), New York Islanders, and Pittsburgh Penguins. His most successful team performance came with the Ottawa Senators, with whom he reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.

What is Mike Comrie doing now after hockey?

Following his retirement from hockey, Mike Comrie transitioned into a financial advisory role. He is a principal at the wealth management firm HPM Partners. In this capacity, he advises professional athletes on investments and managing their finances for life after sports. He resides in the Los Angeles area and has made media appearances, such as on the podcast Missin Curfew.

Is Mike Comrie related to other hockey players?

Yes, Mike Comrie comes from a hockey family. His older brother, Paul Comrie, briefly played for the Edmonton Oilers before Mike was drafted. Furthermore, he has two younger half-brothers who are also professional hockey players. Eric Comrie is a goaltender who was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2013 NHL Draft and has played for several NHL teams. Ty Comrie is a centre who has played professionally in the minor leagues. His uncle, Fred Comrie, was also drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1973.

What was the controversy around Mike Comrie's trade from Edmonton?

The controversy stemmed from a failed trade agreement in 2003. Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe had a deal in place to send Comrie to the Anaheim Ducks for Corey Perry and a first-round pick. However, the Oilers insisted that Comrie personally reimburse the team $2.5 million, which was part of the bonus money he had earned from his entry-level contract. Comrie refused this condition, causing the trade to fall through. He was then traded to the Philadelphia Flyers shortly after, and the saga significantly damaged his reputation as a hometown hero in Edmonton.

Did Mike Comrie win a Stanley Cup?

No, Mike Comrie never won the Stanley Cup. The closest he came was during the 2007 playoffs with the Ottawa Senators. Comrie was a key contributor, playing through a painful shoulder injury, as the Senators advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. They ultimately lost the championship series to the Anaheim Ducks in five games. This playoff run represents the deepest Comrie ever went in the postseason during his NHL career.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.