Mike Komisarek

Mike Komisarek
Born (1982-01-19) January 19, 1982
West Islip, NY, USA
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 243 lb (110 kg; 17 st 5 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Right
Played for Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Carolina Hurricanes
National team  United States
NHL Draft 7th overall, 2001
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 20022014

Michael Komisarek (born January 19, 1982) is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who spent his career with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL.

Playing career

Amateur

Komisarek began playing competitively on Long Island, New York, starting off in the Suffolk PAL organization. He played two years of Varsity hockey at St. Anthony's High School (New York). He then played for the New England Jr. Coyotes of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) under legendary coach Gary Dineen. He was then picked up by USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He is a student of the respected Lithuanian hockey coach Aleksey Nikiforov.

College

Komisarek played two seasons at the University of Michigan, piling up 46 points and 145 penalty minutes in 80 games. He helped the Wolverines to a 55-24-10 mark, a CCHA title and two trips to the NCAA Frozen Four.[1] One of his teammates was fellow Long Islander Eric Nystrom, who was drafted by the Calgary Flames. Komisarek was also named a First Team Division I All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association in 2002.

Professional

After two seasons with the University of Michigan, Komisarek was selected seventh overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He played his first NHL game in the 2002–03 season with the Canadiens. He re-signed with the Canadiens in 2007 for a 2-year contract for 3.5 million dollars, along with his friend Christopher Higgins, who is also from Long Island.

Komisarek scored his first NHL goal, vs the Washington Capitals on March 20, 2006, where he was named the first star of the game.[2] His willingness to stand up for his teammates and his hard-hitting style made him a fan favourite in the Bell Centre.

In the 2006-07 regular season, Komisarek tied Mike Commodore of the Calgary Flames for most shorthanded goals scored among defensemen, with 2.[3]

During the 2007-08 season, Komisarek led the league with 227 blocked shots and finished second in hits with 266 having played only 75 games.

On January 5, 2009 played in the 57th NHL All-Star Game and was named a starter as voted by the fans alongside his defense partner Andrei Markov.

In July 2009, Komisarek signed a 5-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, averaging $4.5 million per season. On January 2, 2010, Komisarek injured his shoulder in a game against the Calgary Flames, and on February 3, 2010, it was revealed he would require season-ending surgery. This also meant Komisarek would miss the 2010 Winter Olympics, as he was chosen to represent Team USA.[4]

On March 20, 2013 Komisarek was placed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs. On March 21, 2013, he cleared waivers and with his permission he was assigned to the Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the 2012–13 season. With one year left on his contract with the Maple Leafs, Komisarek was released as a free agent after his contract was used in a compliance buy-out on July 2, 2013.[5]

On July 5, 2013, he signed as a free agent to a one-year deal worth $700,000 with the Carolina Hurricanes.[6]

In September 2014, Komisarek was signed to a Professional Tryout Contract by the New Jersey Devils, but was released from it shortly after.

Personal life

Komisarek is of Polish descent. His father, Roman Komisarek, was 24 when he moved to the U.S., where he eventually opened an auto-body repair shop on Long Island.[7] Roman Komisarek left his wife Kathy behind in Poland until he could earn enough to afford an apartment and support her. Speaking of his parents' move to the U.S., Komisarek stated that, "At that time, my parents knew they wanted to start a family and give me and my sister a better opportunity. [...](My father) moved to Brooklyn, found a job and didn't know the language at all. He just had the clothes on his back. Now, we have a nice home on Long Island, and my parents provided everything we ever needed. I always carried that with me. I always wanted to make them proud." [8] Komisarek also has a sister named Joanne, who is two years younger than he is. His sister is a graduate of Boston College.[7] He also speaks Polish.

Komisarek's mother, Kathy, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2005 and died in November 2005. She was 51.[9]

In 2014, Komisarek announced that he would be resuming studies at the University of Michigan through the athletic department's Degree Completion Program.[10] On January 9, 2015 Michigan Wolverines head coach Red Berenson announced that Komisarek would join the coaching staff as an undergraduate student assistant.[11]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1998–99 New England Jr. Coyotes EJHL 53 17 24 41 10
1999–00 U.S. National Development Team USDP 58 5 8 13 152
2000–01 Michigan Wolverines CCHA 41 4 12 16 77
2001–02 Michigan Wolverines CCHA 39 11 19 30 68
2002–03 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 56 5 25 30 79 23 1 5 6 60
2002–03 Montreal Canadiens NHL 21 0 1 1 28
2003–04 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 18 2 7 9 47
2003–04 Montreal Canadiens NHL 46 0 4 4 34 7 0 0 0 8
2004–05 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 20 1 4 5 49 4 0 1 1 8
2005–06 Montreal Canadiens NHL 73 2 4 6 116 6 0 0 0 10
2006–07 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 4 15 19 116
2007–08 Montreal Canadiens NHL 75 4 13 17 101 12 1 2 3 18
2008–09 Montreal Canadiens NHL 66 2 9 11 121 4 0 0 0 20
2009–10 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 34 0 4 4 40
2010–11 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 75 1 9 10 86
2011–12 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 45 1 4 5 41
2012–13 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 4 0 0 0 2
2012–13 Toronto Marlies AHL 7 0 0 0 10 6 0 1 1 9
2013–14 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 32 0 4 4 14
NHL totals 551 14 67 81 679 29 1 2 3 56

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2000 United States WJC18 8th 6 0 0 0 12
2001 United States WJC 5th 7 0 0 0 0
2002 United States WJC 5th 7 0 2 2 14
2006 United States WC 7th 7 0 1 1 4
2011 United States WC 8th 7 1 1 2 6
Junior totals 20 0 2 2 26
Senior totals 14 1 2 3 10

Awards and achievements

Award Year
All-CCHA Rookie Team 2000–01
All-CCHA First Team 2001–02 [12]
CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman 2001–02
AHCA West First-Team All-American 2001–02
CCHA All-Tournament Team 2002 [13]
AHL All-Rookie Team 2002–03
NHL All-Star Game 2009

References

  1. Bo Rottenborn (2009-01-08). "On Ice: Winter Wonderland". ncaa.com. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  2. Associated Press (2006-03-16). "Recap: Montréal @ Washington". nhl.com. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  3. http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2007_skaters.html
  4. "Leafs' Komisarek to have season-ending surgery". February 3, 2010.
  5. "Maple Leafs use compliance buy-out on Komisarek". The Sports Network. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2013-07-02.
  6. "Hurricanes give Mike Komisarek a shot". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  7. 1 2 Pat Hickey (2008-03-11). "Hits keep coming for Komisarek". The Gazette. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  8. http://web.archive.org/web/20110604031204/http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/college/college111501.html. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2008. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. Herb Zurkowsky (2005-12-07). "A son mourns his mother". The Gazette. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  10. http://25stanley.com/mike-komisarek-retourne-aux-etudes.html
  11. "Komisarek Joins Staff as Undergraduate Assistant". Michigan Go Blue. 2015-01-09.
  12. "All-CCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  13. "2012-13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved 2014-04-23.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Marcel Hossa
Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick
2001
Succeeded by
Alexander Perezhogin
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Andrew Hutchinson
CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman
2001-02
Succeeded by
Brad Fast
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