Photo Credit – Pro Sports Photography:
DALLAS — Defenceman Sean Comrie will be playing at Denver University in the fall and studying business regardless if he is selected in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
Another local winger, Josh Paterson wants to be a doctor one day and will be just fine if his name is not called.
They’re not slam dunks to be selected at the draft in Dallas starting Friday, along with Sherwood Park defenceman Dylan Plouffe, who plays with the Vancouver Giants and was overlooked last year.
But Fort Saskatchewan centre Eric Florchuk, who was asked to play in last winter’s CHL Prospects Game where he was coached by Don Cherry, will probably go in the third or fourth round.
“I’ll be in the gym if a team calls,” joked the skinny, 173-pound Comrie, not going to the draft.
Comrie played for the Spruce Grove Saints, deciding he would go the Junior A route rather than play in the WHL after Brandon Wheat Kings picked him in the second round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. He was looking for a U.S. college scholarship and got one. He will be a teammate of former Saints defenceman Ian Mitchell, a second-round draft of Chicago Blackhawks last June, and Todd McLellan’s son Tyson.
“Denver was one of the first schools I talked to while playing midget. They offered me and there’s no point in waiting when you get an offer from a school like that,” said Comrie, who’s asked often if he’s related to Bill Comrie or son Mike. “I’m a pretty distant cousin, second cousin from a second cousin removed. I’ve met Bill once or twice.”
Comrie was an integral part of the Saints as they won the AJHL title over Okotoks, but in the matchup with the BCJHL champions from Wenatchee, Wash., to get to the RBC Cup, he was hurt in the third game.
“I went to hit some guy and got a self-inflicted concussion, but it’s all good,” said Comrie.