islesinfo:
2006-07 Update: May 1,
2007: Blake Comeau went 1-4-5 in 6 games
played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the month
of April. His goal was an empty netter in a 4-2 win vs.
the Albany River Rats on Apr. 1st. Comeau did not play
in Bridgeport's final two regular season games on Apr.
14th vs. Philadelphia and Apr. 15th vs. Norfolk. The
young power forward had a respectable rookie season and
he will be counted on even more in 2007-08 as he works
his way towards making the New York Islanders.
April
1, 2007: Blake Comeau recorded 3 assists in 5 games
played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the month
of March. He missed the first 7 games of the month
recovering from a sprained ankle suffered Feb. 16th.
Comeau missed a total of 14 games with the injury. He
returned to the Sound Tigers lineup on Mar. 24th vs.
Portland. Comeau recorded an assist in Bridgeport's 7-2
loss at the Hartford Wolf Pack on Mar. 28th. He had a
multiple assist game on Mar. 31st in a 6-5 loss at the
Hershey Bears. The Sound Tigers posted a record of 5-8-1
in March and they went 1-4-0 after Comeau returned to
the lineup. He was a -4 on the month.
March
1, 2007: Blake Comeau went 4-3-7 in 8 games
played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the month
of February. He scored the first goal of the game on
Feb. 2nd in a 6-2 loss at the Worcester Sharks. It was
his first goal in 19 games since Dec. 6th. Comeau
recorded the game tying goal on Feb. 10th that forced a
shootout vs. the Lowell Devils. He was unsuccessful in
his shootout attempt but the Sound Tigers won the game
4-3. Comeau had a goal and an assist on the power play
in February. On Feb. 11th he scored a shorthanded empty
net goal in a 5-3 win vs. the Binghamton Senators.
Comeau had back to back multiple point nights (1g,1a) on
Feb. 10th vs. Lowell and Feb. 11th vs. Binghamton. On
Feb. 16th Comeau sprained his ankle in the first period
of a game vs. Lowell and missed the Sound Tigers last 7
games of the month of February. Bridgeport posted a
record of 8-7-0 in February.
February 1, 2007: Blake Comeau recorded 5 assists
in 10 games played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
during the month of January. After a strong start to his
rookie season, Comeau has seen a dip in his offensive
production. He went 1/3 in the shootout in January. He
scored a shootout goal in a 2-1 win vs. Philadelphia on
Jan. 10th. Comeau missed on chances in the shootout in a
4-3 loss vs. Providence on Jan. 14th and in a 4-3 win at
Hershey on Jan. 20th. Two of his assists during the
month came on special teams, one on the power play and
another while shorthanded. Bridgeport as a team played
much better in January posting a record of 7-2-1.
January 1, 2006: Blake Comeau went 1-4-5 in 12
games played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the
month of December. Comeau made his NHL debut with the
New York Islanders on December 7, 2006 vs. the Montreal
Canadiens. Wearing #57, he took 15 shifts in the game
for a total of 11:33 of ice time, recording 2 hits in
the process. Comeau would play in the next two games for
the Islanders for a total of 3 before getting sent back
down to Bridgeport on Dec. 16th. He saw action Dec. 9th
vs. the Florida Panthers taking 14 shifts for 8:20 and
recording 1 hit. On Dec. 15th at the Pittsburgh
Penguins, Comeau took 10 shifts for 8:22 and recorded 1
hit. The Islanders went 1-2-0 in the three games Comeau
appeared in. While with the Islanders he missed one game
with Bridgeport on Dec. 9th at Binghamton. Before he was
called up to the Islanders, Comeau scored the game tying
goal and assisted on Jeff Tambellini's overtime game
winner in Bridgeport's 3-2 win vs. Binghamton on Dec.
6th. Comeau's goal came with 4:10 remaining in
regulation. On Dec. 23rd, Blake recorded 2 assists in
the Sound Tigers 2-1 overtime win vs. the Manchester
Monarchs. Comeau was a -6 during the month of December
with Bridgeport, due in large part to the team going
1-7-0 in their last 8 games. Twice he was a -3 in a
game. He ended the month on a four game scoreless streak
and has recorded only 2 points in his last 9 games.
December 1, 2006: Blake Comeau went 4-5-9 in 13
games played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the
month of November. He's been one of Bridgeport's most
consistent players through the first two months of the
season. Comeau scored the game winning overtime goal in
the Sound Tigers 4-3 win at Hershey on November 18th. He
is third on Bridgeport in scoring behind Jeff Tambellini
and Robert Nilsson. Comeau was a -4 in November.
November 1, 2006: Blake Comeau scored 9 of his 10
points during the month of October between the Sound
Tigers first two games of the season, both on the road
in Binghamton and Hartford. In his first career AHL
regular season game on October 8th in Binghamton, Comeau
recorded a team record 4 assists in the 5-3 win. He then
recorded a Sound Tigers record 5 points on 2 goals and 3
assists in the Sound Tigers second game of the season, a
6-3 win at Hartford. The Sound Tigers trailed 3-1
entering the third period of the game and Comeau helped
to spark a 5 goal comeback. For a few days Comeau was
the AHL's leading scorer. After his first 7 games,
Comeau's 10 points ranks him fourth among rookie scorers
in the AHL. He then went cold, not recording a point for
the next 5 games. Comeau had a good training camp for
the Islanders before getting sent down to Bridgeport on
September 27th. He impressed new head coach Ted Nolan,
who stated about Comeau: "He's going to be a
dandy." Sound Tigers head coach Dan Marshall plays
Comeau in all aspects of the game, including special
teams.
2006-07 Season
Highlights
* Named first star
with 4 assists in 5-3 win at Binghamton Senators October
8, 2006 (1st Reg. Season Gm)
* Named first star with 2g, 3a in 6-3 win at Hartford
Wolf Pack October 13, 2006 (Bridgeport record)
* Named second star with 1g(PP), 2a in 5-2 win at
Binghamton Senators November 3, 2006.
* Named second star with 1g(PP), 1a in 5-4 shootout win
vs. Worcester Sharks November 12, 2006.
* Named first star with a SO goal in 2-1 win vs.
Philadelphia Phantoms January 10, 2007.
* Named third star with a goal in 2-1 OT win vs.
Worcester Sharks February 7, 2007.
* Named third star with a goal (PP) and an assist in 4-3
SO win vs. Lowell Devils February 10, 2007.
Comeau can't wait to
contribute again
by Michael Fornabaio, connpost.com, Mar. 22, 2007
BRIDGEPORT —
Fortunate with injury through his junior career, Blake
Comeau has had an unlucky past month. He suffered a
sprained ankle Feb. 16 against Lowell, could feel the
ligaments tear, and has been out ever since. It's a far
cry from the minor injuries that kept him out, at most,
four or five games at a time.
And with the
Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a desperate race for the last
playoff spot, the rookie winger can't wait to get back.
"That's what you
want is to try to be out there and help the team,"
Comeau said. "Every game we're going for that last
playoff spot. It (stinks) to be watching from the
stands."
His spectator days are
dwindling. The team calls him day-to-day for this
weekend, which includes a game tonight at Binghamton,
N.Y., and home games Saturday and Sunday against
Portland. If this weekend doesn't work out, Comeau is
hoping to be back next week, when the Sound Tigers play
four games in five nights. "I think he's going to
be good any day now," coach Dan Marshall said.
"It's just a matter of how he feels."
Comeau's 35 points,
physical play and penalty killing sit on the shelf along
with Jeremy Colliton, Brandon Nolan and Petteri
Nokelainen. None of the last three are expected to play
this weekend. And Eric Boguniecki — not feeling well,
Marshall said — will at least miss tonight's game.
"We're desperate for players first," Marshall
said, "then we need points."
SOUND TIGERS WIN IN
SHOOTOUT
soundtigers.com, Feb. 10, 2007
The Sound Tigers and
Devils traded leads in regulation, with Sound Tiger Blake
Comeau's third period power play tally tying the
game 3-3 and forcing the extra session. The Sound Tigers
have six power play goals in their last five games,
including several that were clutch. They've scored the
game-winning or tying goal on the power play in the
third period or overtime in each of their last four
games during the winning streak.
The Sound Tigers
improved to 6-4 in shootouts and 20 of their 49 games
have been decided by just a goal. Dubielewicz has been
between the pipes in nine of the team's 10 shootouts.
The Devils drew first
blood on Jason Ryznar's goal 4:02 into the game. Ryznar
redirected a feed from veteran Grant Marshall into the
net to finish a two-on-one opportunity. The Sound Tigers
got the next two goals. Hard work by Comeau and Nolan
kept the puck in the zone and both players assisted
defenseman Mark Wotton's slap shot goal from the point
at 12:50 of the first. Eric Boguniecki extended his
goal-scoring streak to three games when he deflected a
shot by Robert Nilsson for a 2-1 lead at 14:01 of the
second, Nilsson has six assists in three games - all
wins - against Lowell this season.
Jeremy Colliton had
the secondary assist on Boguniecki's goal and Comeau had
an assist on Wotton's goal.
WHAT'S THE DEAL
WITH ...
by Mike Fornabaio, connpost.com, Dec. 27, 2006
... the boarding major
and game misconduct Tuesday night?
Blake Comeau's bump on
Dean Arsene late in the second period was like a tour of
Rule 42. While Comeau surely wasn't out to hurt the
Hershey defenseman — he may hit like a freight train,
but he hasn't played dirty — the legalese almost
necessitated a major penalty, the first non-fighting
major on a Sound Tiger this season.
First, because Arsene
was touching up an icing, Comeau had to make sure not to
hit him. But whether intentional or not, Comeau did hit
him into the boards on the touch-up. That's a boarding
penalty, by definition.
On we go to the next
step. Arsene suffered a head injury on the play. That
makes it a major penalty. And any boarding major carries
a game misconduct as well. From one hit, Comeau's night
was over.
islesinfo.com note:
what's odd about this story is the boxscore does not
show any game misconduct or penalty to Blake Comeau. It
doesn't show any penalty & misconduct for any
player. Comeau is listed as having 0 PIM's in the game.
Comeau's official statistics still last him as having a
total of 22 PIM's on the season. The following was in
Fornabaio's game recap:
The power play went
0-for-7. The penalty kill was fine, including killing a
five-minute major to Blake Comeau for hitting Dean
Arsene on an icing touch-up in the final seconds of the
second period. Arsene didn't return.
Interview
with Sound Tiger's Rookie Blake Comeau -
( 12/20/06 video from Sound Tigers Media Page )
Comeau
called to play with NY Islanders
by Kathy Gallant, meadowlakeprogress.com, Dec. 17,
2006
One of Meadow Lake’s
well known hockey prodigies recently lived out his
lifelong dream - to play hockey in the NHL.
Blake Comeau, who was born and raised in Meadow Lake, is
currently playing hockey with the Bridgeport Sound
Tigers, a farm team of the New York Islanders.
On Thursday December 7, Blake received notification that
he would be playing with the Islanders in their game.
Blake’s father, George Comeau said that the family is
very proud of Blake.
“Of course he’s humble,” Comeau said of his son.
“We’re definitely happy for him. Like many other
dedicated hockey players, his dream was to play in the
NHL one day.”
Comeau said that when he heard from his son, he was
notably excited.
“Blake said he almost didn’t believe it,” said
Comeau.
“But he was looking forward to heading out on the ice.
We watched him play that night and it was great.
Comeau said Blake was slated to play two more games with
the Islanders this weekend against Pittsburgh. He was
slated to play games on December 15 and 16.
“It’s great that he’s getting so many
opportunities to play such a high calibre of hockey,”
he noted.
“We hope that he continues to have fun and do well.”
“Blake has always loved hockey and he’s doing what
he loves.
Comeau earns big
promotion
by Greg Logan, Newsday, Dec. 8, 2006
Ted Nolan's original
plan was to leave 20-year-old Blake Comeau in
Bridgeport this season to develop. But after a poor
performance by Jeremy Colliton in an emergency role
Tuesday against Ottawa, Nolan yesterday called up Comeau
to make his NHL debut against Montreal last night at
Nassau Coliseum.
Nolan previously said he would be more likely to call up
Jeff Tambellini, but the 6-1, 198-pound Comeau is more
suited to a fourth-line checking role than the smaller
Tambellini. At the same time, Comeau has scored seven
goals and 14 assists in 23 games at Bridgeport, which
ranks second only to Tambellini's 23 points.
Nolan traveled to
Bridgeport Wednesday night to watch the Sound Tigers'
3-2 overtime win against Binghamton. Comeau scored the
goal with 4:10 left in regulation that sent the game to
overtime, and he assisted on the winner by Tambellini.
At the morning skate yesterday, Nolan described Comeau
as "clearly the best player on the ice."
Although Comeau will start on the fourth line, Nolan
made it sound as if he could stick, saying,
"Everything after that will depend on how Blake
performs."
COMEAU TO MAKE NHL
DEBUT
soundtigers.com, Dec. 7, 2006
Nolan called him
"the best player on the ice last night."
Blake Comeau,
one of the Islanders' top forward prospects, has been
recalled from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on an
emergency basis and will make his NHL debut tonight when
the Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens. Comeau was
selected in the second round of the 2004 NHL Draft. This
season with the Sound Tigers, Comeau has 7 goals and 14
assists for 21 points in 23 games.
Last night in
Bridgeport, Comeau scored with 4:10 left in regulation
to tie the game and then set up Jeff Tambellini's
overtime goal in the Sound Tigers' 3-2 win over
Binghamton. Islanders head coach Ted Nolan made the trip
to Bridgeport and said at today's morning skate that
Comeau was "clearly the best player on the
ice."
Nolan said Comeau will
start tonight's game on the fourth line.
"Everything after that," said the coach,
"will depend on how Blake performs."
SOUND TIGERS TOP
SHARKS 5-4 IN SHOOTOUT
soundtigers.com, Nov. 12, 2006
The Sharks salvaged a
point by overcoming a 4-1 deficit to force overtime. The
Sound Tigers built a 4-1 lead in the second period
behind three unanswered goals in a span of less than
five minutes midway through the second period to
seemingly seize control of the game. Blake Comeau
gave Bridgeport a 1-0 first-period lead when he blasted
a power play goal off the far post at 4:31 of the first
period. The Sharks answered to tie the game 1-1 when Joe
Pavelski scored at 4:07 of the second period. Bridgeport
scored the next three as Eric Boguniecki (at 8:30 of the
second) and Jeff Tambellini (at 11:18) struck on the
power play. Frans Nielsen scored an even strength goal
at 13:23 to make it 4-1 before Worcester began a
comeback.
Comeau had an assist
on New Haven/West Haven native Boguniecki's goal to give
Comeau a team-leading 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists).
Tambellini's goal was his team-best seventh.
SOUND TIGERS TOP
SENATORS 5-2
Comeau, Ferraro, Regier and Berry lead attack
soundtigers.com, Nov. 3, 2006
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The
Bridgeport Sound Tigers beat the East Division-rival
Binghamton Senators for the second time in as many
meetings this season with a 5-2 win at Broome County
Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday night. The Sound
Tigers ended a three-game losing streak and improved to
4-3-0-2; Binghamton fell to 3-5-0-2. Bridgeport's Blake
Comeau, Peter Ferraro, Steve Regier and Rick Berry
all had two point efforts to lead the way.
Comeau, who assisted
on four of Bridgeport's five goals in a 5-3 win at
Binghamton in the season opener back on Oct. 8, again
played a key role in his team's success against the
Senators. Comeau, a rookie, figured in three of his
team's markers with a goal and pair of assists on
Friday.
Comeau and Rick Berry
assisted Ferraro's net-finder and Ferraro later returned
the favor, setting up Comeau for his third goal of the
year on a first period power play. Eric Boguniecki also
picked up an assist on Comeau's goal as the Sound Tigers
built a 2-0 lead though the first 20 minutes.
Binghamton twice cut
two-goal deficits in half on rebound tallies - the first
by Serge Payer to make it 2-1 early in the second.
Comeau and Mark Wotton assisted Steve Regier for his
third goal and a 3-1 lead before Binghamton's Jamie
Allison buried a rebound to make it 3-2. Regier's goal
stood up as the game-winner and the Sound Tigers put the
game away late in the third. Jeff Tambellini scored his
fourth goal, assisted by Regier and Frans Nielsen, to
open a 4-2 lead and Berry capped the scoring with his
second of the year, an unassisted empty-netter with less
than a second showing on the scoreboard clock.
Nolan content to
let Comeau mature in AHL
by Greg Logan, Newsday.com, Nov. 1, 2006
Islanders coach Ted
Nolan made it clear early in training camp how much he
loves 20-year-old forward Blake Comeau, who has 10
points in seven games with AHL Bridgeport. But when
Comeau opened the season on a hot streak, Nolan wasn't
even a little tempted to call him up.
In Nolan's view, it's best to let the top prospects in
the system play consistently in the minors rather than
letting them take their lumps at the NHL level before
they're ready. Early on, Nolan made that point to owner
Charles Wang and new general manager Garth Snow.
"When you're
trying to change the culture on the team, it's not
changed by going with the wind, by calling up a kid on a
hot streak and playing him 10 shifts and sending him
back," Nolan said.
"The Montreal Canadiens back in the day put those
kids down for a good year or year and a half. I'm not
saying that's the case, but it will be good for a kid to
stay down and get his confidence. Comeau is going to be
a heck of a player. To ruin it by letting him get hot
for five games, bring him up for two games and then send
him back down ... You see a lot of flash in the pans.
When guys are here for good, they're here for
good."
Blake’s
No Fake
by Mike Scandura, New England Hockey Journal, Nov.
1, 2006
Dan
Marshall saw a glimpse of the future two years ago.
Marshall,
who's in his first season as the Bridgeport Sound
Tigers' head coach, was working in the Islanders' hockey
operations department when the team made forward Blake
Comeau its second-round pick (47th overall) in the 2004
NHL Entry Draft.
Comeau
was only 17 at the time but already had starred for Team
Canada (which won the gold medal in the 2003 Under-18
Tournament in Russia) and led Kelowna to the Memorial
Cup championship.
"I've
known Blake for a few years … since he attended our
rookie camp (in 2004)," recalled Marshall.
"Now, he's 20 and about 6-1 and 205 pounds. He
really has a lot of power for a young man. He also loves
to work the puck along the wall, take the hit and pay
the price to make the pass.
"That's
what makes him a quality, young prospect."
Comeau
already is flashing some of the talent that makes him
one of the Islanders' very best prospects. Through his
first seven pro games, he's fourth among AHL rookies in
scoring with 2-8-10 totals - and skates on Bridgeport's
special teams besides taking his regular shift at
forward.
In
retrospect, Comeau was overshadowed by the talent on his
junior team in Kelowna of the WHL.
"He
was on the third line at that time (he was
drafted)," said Marshall. "I think he went to
the second line and the first line. But his draft year
he wasn't among their top six forwards because he was on
a very strong team (i.e. skating on Kelowna's third line
was the equivalent of skating on a lesser teams' first
line).
"Blake
was kind of a late bloomer. From the standpoint of
offensive numbers, he started to put them up his last
two years of juniors."
Indeed.
Last
season, for example, Comeau posted 21-53-74 totals (his
53 assists tying him for second in the WHL and helping
him earn First Team All-Star honors).
"Comeau's
a multi-dimensional player," said an NHL scout.
"He's smart with the puck and has good offensive
instincts. I feel he combines strong skating with an
accurate (wrist) shot and has the ability to protect the
puck.
"He's
what I call a gritty player in that he'll battle along
the boards and in the corners."
The
one area where Marshall would like to see improvement is
his start.
"Blake's
not slow but it takes him a bit to get going," said
the coach. "He's got to get a little bit faster
with his first step because it's a new game. But just
because he does all the little things so well, it's
obvious he was well-coached.
"We
look for him (to play) both ends of the rink. I think
the sky's the limit but I don't want to put third line
or second line on him. I just think he's going to be a
quality, quality NHL player when he matures."
Interview
with Sound Tiger's Rookie Blake Comeau -
( 10/20/06 video from Sound Tigers Media Page )
excerpt from Patience
pays off for Islanders
by Shane Malloy, foxsports.com,
Oct. 18, 2006
Blake Comeau, Right
Wing, 20 (second round, 47th overall pick in 2004)
currently with Bridgeport (AHL)
An underrated winger
who loves to bang and crash his way through the
opposition, Comeau understands what it takes to be a
winner. His leadership ability and his willingness to
pay the price to win will put a letter on his chest one
day. Expect him to be a second-line winger, depending
how his offensive skills translate at the NHL level.
Tigers top 'Pack
by Michael
Fornabaio, Connpost.com, Oct. 18, 2006
HARTFORD - They were
resilient throughout the preseason, and Friday night,
the Bridgeport Sound Tigers showed some resiliency in
the regular season. And they may have themselves a new
superstar.
Coming back from a
two-goal, third-period deficit, Bridgeport scored two
goals in 30 seconds to take the lead and added two more
to defeat the Hartford Wolf Pack 6-3 in front of 3,047
fans at the Hartford Civic Center. Blake Comeau scored
his first two professional goals in the third period and
added three assists, setting a Bridgeport team record
for points in a game. His four assists on opening night
had been the 15th time a Sound Tiger had scored four
points in a night. "It feels good to get off to a
good start, but the team starting 2-0, that's the most
important," Comeau said. "I think we came out
a little slow, but we showed some character here."
Comeau has nine points
in his first two professional regular-season games.
"Quite obviously
he's a prospect," Bridgeport coach Dan Marshall
said. "He was well-coached at Kelowna (WHL). ... He
has hockey sense, vision. There's not much he doesn't do
well, but he still has things to learn, little
things."
Tigers solid in opener
Comeau had the Primary Assist
by Michael Fornabaio, Connpost.com, Oct. 9, 2006
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Like the rest of his young
Bridgeport Sound Tigers teammates, Blake Comeau found
himself on the ice in almost every situation in Sunday's
season opener. Comeau made the most of it in a 5-3
victory over the Binghamton Senators at Broome County
Veterans Memorial Arena. He assisted on four goals,
including Steve Regier's empty-netter, moments after
Comeau had missed the open net himself. "It's going
to really help our development early in the
season," said Comeau, who played all seven playoff
games for Bridgeport last year after his junior season
ended. "We don't really have any designated first,
second, third lines. Everybody rolls."
Comeau had the primary assist — meaning he sent the
pass to the goal-scorer — three times. He killed
penalties and was on the ice for a final-minute penalty
kill. But a bit of snow on his stick disrupted his
empty-net goal attempt, but he led Regier on a breakaway
soon after. "That's the type of player he is,"
coach Dan Marshall said. "He's one of those players
you want out there in the last minute, whether you're a
goal down or up that goal"
Connpost.com
2006-07 Bridgeport Player Capsule
NAME — Blake
Comeau
NUMBER — 14
POSITION — Right wing
SHOOTS — Right
VITALS — 6-1, 198
BORN — Feb. 18, 1986, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
LAST SEASON — Kelowna-WHL (60: 21-53-74)
RESUME — Another highly touted prospect from the WHL,
he was the 47th overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry
Draft. ... Scored 13 points in 12 WHL playoff games,
then joined Bridgeport for the AHL playoffs and had
three assists in seven games. ... Power forward played
for Canada in the World Junior Championship.
|
Islanders Sign Prospect Blake
Comeau to Three Year Deal |
|
| March 22,
2006: The Islanders have signed RW Blake Comeau to a
three year contract. One of the Islanders top prospects, Comeau was
an assistant captain back in December for the Gold Medal winning
Team Canada at the 2006 World Junior Championships. He led the team
in scoring with 3 goals and 7 points in 6 games and threw some huge
crunching hits in the process. |
At 6'1" and 207 pounds, the 20
year old Comeau is another piece to the puzzle for the Islanders
youth movement as they enter into the future. Comeau was the Islanders second round draft pick in
2004, 47th overall.
"We're very proud to have Blake as a big part of
the future of our franchise," said Islanders general manager Mike
Milbury. "As he demonstrated with Team Canada and the Kelowna
Rockets, Blake is a winner. He does everything well, works incredibly hard
and is the ultimate team player." With
the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League this season, Comeau went
21-53-74 in 60 games played with 85 penalty minutes. His 53 assists tied
him for second in the WHL. In 2003-04, Kelowna won the Memorial Cup as
champion of the Canadian Hockey League. Currently, Comeau and the Rockets
are preparing to take on the Kootenay Ice in the first round of the WHL
playoffs which begins March 24th.
"It's a great feeling knowing the Islanders have
signed me to a contract and consider me an important part of their
future," Comeau said this afternoon. "Last year's training camp
with the Islanders was a good start for me. I learned what I needed to do
to make it in the NHL. I took a lot of that with me when I returned to the
Rockets and when I played for Team Canada."
Comeau, a native of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, was named
First Team all-star for the Western Conference of the WHL.
For extensive coverage of Blake Comeau's experience at
the WJC's and junior career check out islesinfo.com's coverage of the 2006 World Junior
Championship's, which includes a photo gallery.
* Awesome Blake Comeau
Interview following the 2006 WJC's - Click
Here
(requires windows media player/.wmv format - 1:58
duration, 3.25mb)
* Video of Blake
Comeau Returning to the Kelowna Rockets - Click
Here
(requires windows media player/.wmv format - 1:18
duration, 2.16mb)
* Video of Blake
Comeau pre-WJC press interview - Click
Here
(requires windows media player/.wmv format - 4:03
duration, 2.90mb)
2005-06 Update: 5/1/06
- WHL Playoffs: Blake Comeau's Kelowna Rockets advanced
to the WHL Conference Semifinals against the Everett
Silvertips. In the series win 4 games to 2 against
Kootenay, Comeau went 3-4-7 in 6 games played and was a
+5. Kelowna saw the role reversed in the second round
and were defeated 4 games to 2 by Everett, who was led
by Peter Mueller. In the series Comeau went 1-5-6 and
was even in 6 games played. Overall in the playoffs he
went 4-9-13 in 12 games played. Comeau was eliminated
from the WHL playoffs just in time to join the
Bridgeport Sound Tigers in their first round AHL series
against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He recorded
3 assists in the 7 games, but the Sound Tigers lost the
series 4 games to 3. During the series, Comeau played on
a line with Rob Collins and Jeff Tambellini. In Game 7
he played on a line with Ryan O'Marra. He received his
first professional point April 22nd with an assist on a
power play goal by Tambellini.
Sound Tigers Notebook
4/20/06: COMEAU COMETH — Another touted New York
Islanders youngster joined the Sound Tigers after
practice Wednesday when Blake Comeau arrived from
western Canada. Comeau, the Islanders' second-round pick
in 2004, is in on an amateur tryout contract and is set
to make his pro debut tonight. He had 21 goals and 74
points in 60 games for Kelowna, which was eliminated
from the WHL playoffs Sunday. "I think I'm more of
a power forward. I like to play physical," Comeau
said. "I think I'm more of a playmaker than a
goal-scorer, but I'll shoot the puck, too."
Comeau, a righty-shot
right winger, will wear No. 14. Before getting on the
bus, he skated at the Arena at Harbor Yard with
Islanders director of player development Dan Marshall.
"It was good to skate. I haven't skated since
Sunday," Comeau said. "I'm excited to be
here."
4/1/06
- Blake Comeau went 2-4-6 in the final 10 games of the
WHL regular season for the Kelowna Rockets during the
month of March. He finished second on the team in
scoring to Justin Keller. His +15 was tied for second
best on the team. Comeau averaged 1.23 points per game
on the season. His 21 goals fell three shy of the 24
goals he scored in 2004-05. His 53 assists were 30 more
than his 2004-05 total and was tied for second most in
the league, two behind Tri-City's Ian McDonald who had
55. Comeau finished 13th in scoring in the WHL with 74
points. Had a 3 game point scoring streak from March 8th
to 12th in which he went 1-2-3. Scored the game winning
goal in a 4-1 win vs. the Kamloops Blazers March 18th.
Comeau was named WHL first team all-star at the close of
the season and signed a three year deal with the New
York Islanders on March 22nd.
Playoffs:
Kelowna face the Kootenay Ice in the WHL Quarterfinals,
best of seven series. Kelowna entered the series with
home ice advantage. Going into April Kelowna leads the
series 3 games to 2. In the five games Comeau is tied as
Kelowna's leading scorer(with Keller) having gone 3-3-6.
Two years ago, it was Comeau who helped sink the Ice
with a hat trick in Game 1 of their opening round series
which the Rockets went on to sweep in four straight.
"That series wasn't as easy as it looked, and we
certainly don't expect this one to be either," said
Comeau, who led the Rockets with 53 assists.
"We have the same systems, they work hard and
they're a character team, a lot like us. We're going to
have to counter with the same thing."
3/1/06
- Blake Comeau went 4-15-19 in 14 games played during
the month of February. He's second on the Kelowna
Rockets in scoring and leads the WHL with 49 assists. On
the season he's averaging 1.29 points per game. Had a
four game point scoring streak from January 28th to
February 4th going 3-5-8. Had a three game assist
scoring streak in which he had 4 assists from February
11th to February 17th. Had a three game point scoring
streak from February 22nd to 25th going 1-6-7. Comeau
was a +7 during the month of February.
2/1/06
- Blake Comeau went 3-9-12 in 9 games played for the
Kelowna Rockets during the month of January after
returning to the WHL folowing the 2006 WJC's. He's
currently second on his team in scoring and leads the
team in assists with 35. Fought center Jacob Dietrich in
a 4-1 win vs. the Lethbridge Hurricanes January 25,
2006. Recorded 3 assists in a 6-0 win at the Kootenay
Ice January 28, 2006. Had a 4 game point scoring streak
from January 15-21 and went 2-3-5 in that span. Had a
personal 4 game point scoring streak which started
before the WJC's back on Dec. 14th and ended January
13th after the WJC's in which he went 1-6-7 in that
span. His 49 points is a new career high surpassing the
47 points he tallied in 65 games during 2004-05. He has
set a new career high in assists with 34 surpassing last
years mark of of 23. After winning the gold at the 2006
WJC's Comeau has become very popular in Canada and his
islesinfo.com profile has become one of the most viewed
pages on the site.
1/1/06
- Blake Comeau only played in 3 games for the Rockets in
the month of December recording 2 goals and 5 points. He
was named by coach Brent Sutter as one of the final 34
to take part in Canada's final selection camp for the
WJC team on December 6th. On December 16th he was
officially named to Team Canada. In the preliminary
round, Comeau helped Canada finish with a 4-0 record by
supplying offense and physical play. You can read about
it and see pictures by checking out the islesinfo.com's 2006
WJC page.
12/1/05
- Blake Comeau cooled off a bit in the month of November
recording only a goal and 6 points in 9 games played for
the Rockets.
* ADT Canada/Russia
Challenge: Blake Comeau went scoreless in Team WHL's 9-2
victory over Russia on November 30, 2005. In the second
game on December 1, 2005 Comeau recorded an assist on
the winning goal by Kyle Chipchura in Team WHL's 3-1
win. The wins helped Canada sweep the Russians 6-0 in
the six game tournament.
As of 11/1/05: Blake
Comeau is currently 2nd in the WHL in scoring with 26
points in 15 games played.
Comeau has been
selected to take part in the WHL's representation in the
Canada/Russia Challenge. The
Drummondville Voltigeurs will host the first game of the
ADT Canada-Russia Challenge on November 21. The second
game will be hosted by the Moncton Wildcats on November
23. The Kitchener Rangers will host the first OHL-based
game on November 24 followed by the Peterborough Petes
on November 28. The series will conclude in the WHL with
the Saskatoon Blades hosting on November 30 and the
Regina Pats hosting the finale on December 1.
Head Coach for Team
WHL will be Brent Sutter of the Red Deer Rebels, while
Cory Clouston of the Kootenay Ice and Lorne Molleken of
the Saskatoon Blades will serve as Assistant Coaches.
Comeau's great early
start should all but seal his selection to Team Canada
at the 2006 World Junior Championship's.
2005-06 Season
Highlights
* Named first star
with 1g, 2a in 6-3 win at Saskatoon - October 11, 2005
* Named second star with 2g, 2a in 7-6 win vs. Moose Jaw
- October 19, 2005
* Named first star with 2g, 3a in 5-3 win at Spokane -
October 30, 2005
* Named third star in 2-1 win vs. Red Deer Rebels -
November 11, 2005
* Named second star with an assist in 3-2 loss at
Kootenay - November 15, 2005
* Named first star with 1g, 1a in 4-1 win vs. Vancouver
Giants January 7, 2006(1st game back from WJC)
* Named first star with 1g (GW & PP), 1a in 2-0 win
vs. Everett Silvertips February 1, 2006
* Named second star with 1g (EN), 1a in 3-1 win at
Prince George Cougars February 3, 2006
* Named third star with 3a in a 5-2 win vs. Spokane
Chiefs February 22, 2006(+ 3 crushing body checks)
* Named second star with a goal(EN) in a 3-1 win at
Kamloops Blazers March 8, 2006.
Playoffs:
* Named second star
with a goal(PP) and an assist in 5-1 win vs. Kootenay
Ice March 25, 2006.(Gm 2)
Comeau’s
Big Apple stay comes to a conclusion
By Doyle Potenteau, Kelowna Daily
Courier-Local - May 1, 2006
Life
in the American Hockey League lasted just seven games
for Blake Comeau.
Three weeks after getting called up by the Bridgeport
Sound, the Tigers’ playoff run came to a quick,
first-round end on Saturday.
For Comeau, it was the second time this month he
suffered a post-season KO, the first taking place on
April 16, when the Kelowna Rockets were booted from the
WHL post-season by the Everett Silvertips.
“We lost, but it was still a good experience,”
Comeau said Sunday from the New York Islanders’ beach
house on the Atlantic Coast.
Twenty-four hours earlier, the Tigers were eliminated
from the Calder Cup playoffs by the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Led by two former WHLers,
the Penguins defeated Bridgeport 5-4 in Game 7 on home
ice to win the series 4-3.
Wilkes-Barre’s win on Saturday was the only one by the
home team in the series, and all seven games were
decided by one goal, a first in the 70-year history of
the Calder Cup.
“We won all our three games in their building, and
they won their (first) three in our building, so that
was a bit strange.” said Comeau, who was called up by
the Connecticut club 12 hours after Kelowna’s
post-season elimination and just three days before the
Tigers’ playoffs began.
“In Game 7, they got up on us a couple of goals, and
even though we played well, we couldn’t finish.”
In Game 7, former Brandon Wheat King Ryan Stone
(Brandon) and ex-Prince George Cougar Jonathan Filewich
both scored third-period goals for the Pens, who
finished atop the East Division with a stellar record of
51-18-5-6, good for 113 points and third overall
league-wise.
Former Kamloops Blazer sniper Erik Christensen also
plays for the Penguins, who will now face the Hershey
Bears in second-round play beginning Thursday. Comeau,
wearing his familiar No. 14, netted three assists
through seven games for Bridgeport.
“It would have been nice to play more, but it was
still a good experience,” said Comeau. “Wilkes-Barre
was fun to play in; they had crowds between eight and
nine thousand. At Bridgeport, we had about 2,500 a
game.”
Also bigger were the paycheques he received. As a
veteran with the Rockets, the 20-year-old winger took
home around $120 every two weeks. With Bridgeport, the
Tigers paid him $200 a game plus per diems.
“Actually, making the adjustment to the AHL was easier
than I thought it’d be,” said Comeau. “Now we have
some exit meetings with (New York Islanders’) general
manager Mike Milbury on Tuesday and then I’ll be going
home to Kelowna sometime in the week. Now that the
playoffs are over, I’m itching to get back to see
family and friends."
Back
in action
By Doyle Potenteau, Kelowna Daily
Courier-Local - Apr. 23, 2006
Exactly
one week ago, just 12 hours after the Kelowna Rockets
were knocked out of the WHL's 2006 post-season courtesy
of the Everett Silvertips, Comeau received an early
morning phone call from the New York Islanders. The
message: Report to the playoff-bound Bridgeport Sound
Tigers immediately.
"I was pretty disappointed at how our season ended,
losing to Everett," Comeau said from Bridgeport,
Conn., site of the Islanders' AHL farm team. "But
then I get this phone call on Monday and they wanted me
out there for (Bridgeport's first) playoff game on
Thursday. Everything happened was so fast . . .
honestly, I'm surprised that I'm out here.
"I wasn't expecting to be out of the playoffs, then
back in them. Not like this. But to get the call, I'm
pretty excited. It really hasn't sunk in yet, that I'm
here, back in the playoffs, but it's a good feeling. The
Islanders wanted me to join them quick, which shows they
have confidence in me, and that's great to have."
Comeau's turnaround was quick. Almost too quick, in
fact. After that Monday 9 a.m. phone call, Comeau had to
be on a 1 p.m. flight out of Kelowna. In between, he had
to pack some clothes, then grab some gear from the rink.
Also, he had to leave behind his new second-hand Lincoln
Aviator, which he just purchased after having signed a
contract with the Islanders earlier this month. Details
of that contract, including the signing bonus, weren't
released by New York, which selected Comeau 47th overall
(second round) in the NHL's 2004 Entry Draft.
"I left it parked in Kelowna," laughed Comeau,
20. "I got it just before the Kootenay series and
waited to drive it until that series was over to avoid
being distracted. Then the Everett series came quick,
and now this.
"Yeah, I want to drive it, but being in the AHL
now, I'll definitely take the tradeoff to have a vehicle
waiting."
After leaving Kelowna, Comeau arrived in Toronto,
midnight local time, had a short nap, then hopped a 4:30
a.m. flight for New York. He arrived in Bridgeport,
about a 90-minute drive northeast along Long Island
Sound, at 11 a.m., where he just missed practice. Still,
the six-foot-one winger managed a half-hour skate to
"get rid of the rust."
"It wasn't so much physical as it was mental,"
said Comeau. "Even though I had skated and played
Sunday, it was weird, preparing not to play hockey. It
was amazing how good it felt to be back on the ice
again, to be back playing. After Sunday's game, I
thought the season was done. I wasn't aware that I was
coming out here and I was preparing to reminisce with
the guys about the season. Then I get a 9 a.m. phone
call and there's a mad scramble, but I'm happy to be out
here."
The Tigers play out of the Bridgeport Arena, an
8,500-seat venue that Comeau says is slightly larger
than the Everett Events Center. He added that most
players for Bridgeport, being a city located on the
Atlantic Ocean, have homes on the beach.
"It's a nice city, a nice building," said
Comeau, who is playing alongside veteran Rob Collins,
28, and rookie Jeff Tambellini. Comeau is the line's
gritty player, as both Collins, at 5-10, Tambellini, at
5-11, are under six feet.
Keen Rockets fans may remember Tambellini.
The small but talented left winger opted to play U.S.
college hockey instead of traveling the major junior
route and was drafted by the L.A. Kings 27th overall in
2003. This season, after shuttling between L.A. and its
AHL farm team, the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings traded
him on March 8 to New York, where he played 21 games
with the Isles, who failed to make the NHL's postseason.
In between getting drafted and traded, Tambellini played
three seasons with the University of Michigan. And in
early 2004, the Rockets acquired his rights from the
Spokane Chiefs just prior to the roster deadline of Jan.
10, the same season Kelowna played host to the Memorial
Cup. But instead of taking up Kelowna's offer for 2004
and 2004-05, Tambellini chose to stay with Michigan.
Of course, the Rockets went on to win the 2004 Memorial
Cup, the WHL championship in 2005 and a fourth-place
finish at the '05 Memorial Cup. At the same time,
Michigan went on to win back-to-back CCHA regular-season
division titles, but failed to make the national
championship Frozen Four tournament, getting ousted in
the second-round, Elite Eight quarter-finals both times.
In 2004, Michigan failed to win the CCHA playoff title,
losing 4-2 to Ohio State. One year later, Michigan
flipped the tables on OSU, winning 4-2, but was later
ousted in the second round of the NCAA playoffs, 4-3 to
Colorado College.
"Yeah, I'm going to have to razz him about that,
not wanting to report," chortled Comeau. "We
really had two great seasons there . . . but now I'm
here, and there's some familiar faces for me in (defenceman)
Dustin Kohn (Calgary Hitmen, Brandon Wheat Kings), who I
played with the under-18s, and Ryan O'Marra at the
(2006) world juniors.
"It's great knowing guys here because I know
they're going to help me out along the way. I'm nervous,
but I'm a lot less because of the people I know
here."
ICE CHIPS: Bridgeport finished fourth in East Division
standings with a regular-season record of 38-33-6-3.
Finishing first, at 51-18-5-6, were the Wilkes-Barre
Scranton Penguins, whom the Tigers are playing in the
first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. . . . Comeau
said he wasn't worried about playing WSB, as Bridgeport
had several of its top young guns playing with the
Isles, which then sent them down once the NHL's regular
season came to a close. . . . On Thursday, the Tigers
beat the Pens 2-1 in Game 1. On Saturday, Bridgeport won
3-2 and Comeau netted his first AHL point, an assist. .
. . Game 2's stars were all Tigers: goalie Wade
Dubielewicz, who made 41 saves, Tambellini and Collins.
. . . . Game 3 is Sunday at Bridgeport. . . . Former
Prince George Cougars head coach Lane Lambert is an
assistant coach with Bridgeport.
Rockets face uphill
battle to overcome deficit
by Warren
Henderson - kelownacapnews.com - April 14,
2006
Blake
Comeau is all for history repeating itself. Only
this time around, the Kelowna Rockets’ forward would
like to see it happen in reverse.
In 2004, the Everett Silvertips roared back from a
three-games-to-one deficit in the Western Conference
final to beat the Rockets in seven games.
In 2006, the tables have been turned—Kelowna needs
three straight victories over the ‘Tips in the
best-of-seven conference semi-final to avoid extinction
from the Western Hockey League playoff landscape.
“Every guy on the whole team knows it’s
possible…Everett did it to us before, now we’re
going to have to do the same if we want to keep
playing,“ said Comeau, whose Rockets host the
‘Tips tonight in Game 5.
“Obviously we didn’t want to be down 3-1, but
that’s the situation and there’s no quit on this
team. There needs to be desperation on every shift for
the rest of the series.”
While head coach Jeff Truitt doesn’t point the finger
at any of his players for a lack of offensive production
in the series, veterans such as Justin Keller, Blake
Comeau, Tyler Spurgeon and Troy Bodie haven’t
been delivering quite as hoped. The quartet has combined
for just two goals in the first four games, a partial
result of Everett’s stifling defensive style.
Comeau inks 3-year
deal with NY Islanders
by Kevin Parnell - kelownacapnews.com - March 29,
2006
Blake
Comeau had a little housekeeping to take care of
before hitting the ice this weekend in the first round
of the Western Hockey League playoffs.
Comeau, 20, signed a three year NHL contract with
the New York Islanders earlier this week, putting his
name on his first pro hockey contract.
“It was nice to get those papers,” said Comeau,
the 6-foot-1 Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan native.
“They’ve been negotiating for awhile. It’s nice to
get it out of the way. All I have left now is to focus
on the playoffs. The contract is a result of team
success and the help that my teammates gave me.”
Comeau was selected by the Islanders in the
second round (47th overall) of the 2004 NHL entry draft
and was impressive in his first camp with the Isles
prior to returning to Kelowna for this WHL season.
“Blake has developed into a well-rounded player
and an excellent prospect,” New York head amateur
scout Tony Feltrin said on newyorkislanders.com.
“His winning track record of three straight Memorial
Cup appearances including one championship, along with
being a key contributor in Canada’s victory at this
year’s WJC are examples of his dedication and talent. Blake’s
attitude and hockey abilities will serve him well as he
begins his professional career. Islander fans can look
forward to seeing Blake contribute to the
Islanders’ success for many years to come.”
The year has been a hockey player’s dream for Comeau.
An NHL contract, a gold medal with Team Canada at the
World Junior Hockey Championships, and his best ever
year production wise at the major junior level.
“It’s been unbelievable this year,” he said.
“I’m a pretty lucky junior hockey player. It all
starts with the Rockets’ organization. They are a
great organization. Guys get personal success because
the team is so good. It’s such a classy organization.
Everything has been great these last four years.”
With the contract out of the way Comeau turned
his sights to the first round playoff series against
Kootenay, the first two games of which were taking place
this weekend.
“I think it’s going to be a good series,” he said,
“Every game we have played it’s always been a good
battle. Both teams had a week off to rest and recover.
Both teams are familiar with the systems. It’s going
to come down to who can execute.”
Comeau turned 20 this year and is eligible to
return to Major Junior hockey next year as an overage
player. Odds are he will likely end up playing in the
Islanders minor league system.
Whatever happens, when Comeau put his name on the
dotted line this week, he took another step toward the
ultimate dream for every Canadian hockey player: Making
the NHL.
“It feels good,” he said. “Making the NHL is a
long process and there are a lot of steps. This is just
another step. It feels great to know the team you are
drafted by is interested and wants you in their
organization.”
Sound
Tigers weekly - 3/23/06
COMEAU COME-ON? —
The Islanders announced Wednesday they have signed right
winger Blake Comeau, a 2004 second-round pick who's
considered one of the team's bright prospects, to an
entry-level contract. It was a deal that had to get done
before the summer to prevent Comeau, 20, from
re-entering the NHL draft. Comeau's junior team, Kelowna,
opens a WHL playoff series Friday against Kootenay. He
would be eligible to join Bridgeport at the end of the
Rockets' season, if he and the Islanders choose. And if
he doesn't make the Islanders next fall, he will play
for the Sound Tigers.
Q&A with Blake
Comeau
by Glenn Erickson - hockeyfuture.com
February 2, 2006
excerpt:
HF: What kind of
experience have you had with the Islanders so far?
BC: I keep in contact
with their head of player development, Dan Marshall,
usually once every couple of weeks. Last year was my
first camp and I thought I had a good camp. I played in
three exhibition games, one in Boston and two in
Philadelphia. You know, if you come back to junior with
something like that under your belt, it’s obviously
going to boost your confidence and I think that’s when
you’re going to play your best hockey. To see the
speed and what it takes to play at the next level was an
experience that I think has really helped me this year.
Meadow Laker makes
Canada proud
By Theresa
Seraphim - January 15, 2006 - meadowlakeprogress
This year’s World
Junior Hockey Championships were a once-in-a-lifetime
experience for Blake Comeau.
The former Meadow Laker, who now plays for the Kelowna
Rockets of the Western Hockey League, got three goals
and four assists during the tournament to help Team
Canada win the championship January 5 in Vancouver.
Comeau said he was thrilled to be a contributor to the
team’s success.
“It was a pretty big honour to be named to the
team,” he noted.
Winning the gold medal was the 19-year-old forward’s
top highlight of the tournament, but having his parents
watch him play also ranked up there.
“After we won, I got to celebrate with them,” Comeau
noted.
He said the tournament had “a lot faster pace than
what I’m used to”, but the team pulled together.
“We were underdogs right from the very start (but) we
had the best defensive team ever for Canada,” Comeau
commented.
He said he wasn’t surprised Canada faced the Russians
in the final.
“We knew they had a good team.”
Right now, he’s concentrating on his role with the
Rockets and is taking things as they come.
George Comeau said he’s proud of his son’s
accomplishments.
“He had a good tournament,” George noted.
“At that level and with that much hype...it was very
exciting.”
George said the tournament was well-organized and many
of the games were sold out.
“It was a good time and we got the result we
wanted.”
Blake credits the Meadow Lake Minor Hockey program with
providing him with valuable sports experience.
“Obviously if I wasn’t playing minor hockey there, I
wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Local hockey hero returns
Jan. 8, 2006 - By Kevin Parnell Staff
Reporter
kelownacapnews.com
Sixteen hours after
having a gold medal hung around his neck, Blake Comeau
strolled down the walkway at the Kelowna airport as one
of this country’s newest heroes.
Comeau and the rest of his Team Canada teammates
shrugged off any suggestion they were underdogs and
completed a perfect 6-0 run at the 2006 World Junior
Hockey Championship, winning the gold medal with a 5-0
win over Russia Thursday night in Vancouver.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Comeau
Friday morning, amidst a sea of media and several fans.
“It’s a great feeling anytime you get to wear the
Canadian jersey. I remember growing up dreaming about
playing in a tournament like this.”
Comeau, a 19-year-old from Meadow Lake, SK,
played a solid tournament, scoring three times and
adding four assists in six games.
He was on the ice during many of the tournaments
critical times and scored goals in both the Canadian
semi-final win over Finland and the gold medal game
against Russia.
“I think we proved a lot of naysayers wrong,” said Comeau
of the Canadian team being considered underdogs.
“We were a confident team. I knew there was going to
be some pretty good games but we just went quietly about
our business which was to get the gold.”
Much of the talk following Canada’s 5-0 win over
Russia centred on a Russian goal in the second period
that went into the Canadian net but wasn’t seen by
officials on or off the ice until it was too late.
If the goal had stood, it would have made the score 2-1
at a time when the Russians were pressing. But the game
continued with Canada up 2-0.
Comeau had a unique view of the play.
“I was on the ice and knew it went in,” he said.
“After they called the ref, I went and asked our coach
if they could call it a goal and he didn’t know so I
was worried. I don’t think it changed the game though.
We played a really good game. ”
Comeau’s gold medal comes a year after former
Kelowna Rocket teammate Shea Weber brought home his gold
medal following Canada win at the junior world
championships in North Dakota.
Kelowna Rockets’ general manager Bruce Hamilton, who
was on the flight home with Comeau, said he was
proud of the way his player handled himself throughout
the event, both on and off the ice.
“I thought he played great,” said Hamilton.
“Most of all we are very proud of him and the way he
handled himself. Every time he was interviewed he was
very professional.
Hamilton said Comeau will be in the Rockets
lineup Saturday night against Vancouver before he takes
some time to go home and rest.
Comeau
Rejoins Rockets
Blake
Comeau and his gold medal arrived in Kelowna Friday.
January 6, 2006
The Kelowna Rocket was instrumental in Canada's gold
medal victory over Russia at the World Junior Hockey
Championship in Vancouver.
Comeau had three goals in the tourney, including one
against the Russians in the final.
"I just tried to deflect it on net because I
didn't have much of an angle. And I got the rebound
and put it in the five hole," says Comeau.
"It was a big booster for our team." Canada
went on to blank the Russians 5-0.
Comeau says the experience of playing with the top
junior players in the country will be a big help if he
goes to the NHL.
"Anytime you can win a championship, the
experience is awesome and you carry that with you for
a long time. I'm not going to forget it."
This isn't Comeau's first gold medal. He won a gold
medal with the Under-18 Team Canada in 2003 at the
IIHF Under-18 Hockey Championship.
Comeau will be rejoining the Kelowna Rockets on
Saturday when they face the Vancouver Giants.
Comeau selected for
junior team
By Theresa
Seraphim - December 25, 2005 - meadowlakeprogress
A Meadow Laker has
been selected for the Canadian Junior hockey team which
will compete in the World Junior hockey championships
later this month.
Blake Comeau, 19, is in Vancouver with his teammates to
face Finland in their first match, scheduled for Boxing
Day. The team already played an exhibition match against
the Czech Republic December 20.
Comeau’s father George said Blake has been on a long
road to get to this point.
Blake began skating at age 3 or 4, then took skating
lessons before getting into minor hockey.
“He’s got a passion for the game,” said George.
“A lot of kids have a dream to play for their country
in a national junior team. It’s finally coming true
(for Blake).
“He’s pretty excited to realize his dream of playing
for Canada.”
George said the family will go to Vancouver to watch
Blake play.
“It’s a chance of a lifetime,” he explained.
“Being on home soil - it’s fantastic.”
Blake Comeau is grateful that his family is able to go
see the tournament.
“My dad and I used to watch this tournament over the
holidays and it’s something that was his dream as
well. I think that he takes a lot of pride in the fact
that I’m playing for Team Canada.”
Blake said the team was hoping to do well in the
tournament.
“During the tournament I just want to go out there,
work hard and play hard. (Coach) Brent Sutter said that
he chooses players who are going to be out there and
competitive, so it feels good that he thinks I am a
go-getter.”
Blake, who currently plays for the Kelowna (B.C.)
Rockets, is also grateful for what this town provided
for him with hockey.l
“I owe a lot to Meadow Lake minor hockey for the
skills that they taught me and the awesome league they
offer. If it wasn’t for Meadow Lake minor hockey, I
wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Hometown support is another thing Blake is thankful for.
“I hope to make my hometown proud. You never forget
your roots and where you came from.”
-with files from Kathy Gallant
Comeau
Ready To Lead
December 22, 2005
He is
an assistant captain with the Kelowna Rockets, and now
Blake Comeau is being asked to fill the same role with
Team Canada.
The 19-year-old forward will share the assistant
captain's role on a rotating basis with returnee Cam
Barker, Vancouver Canucks draft choice Luc Bourdon and
David Bolland. Prince Albert Raiders forward Kyle
Chipchura was named team captain.
Comeau says it was an honour to be given the
leadership responsibility.
"Everybody is a leader on their respective club
team---almost every player wears either a
"C" or an "A" on their team. To
have the coaching staff have that confidence in me,
it's something I take great pride in," says
Comeau.
While many players on the team have some international
experience, only Barker has felt the spotlight on this
stage before, earning a gold medal in last year's
tournament.
Comeau says guys don't realize how big this tournament
is until they are a part of it and pull on the
uniform.
"Every channel you turn to, there's something on
it. The pressure is there, not only from the country,
but from within the dressing room."
While Comeau didn't make an impact on the scoresheet,
he did provide a physical presence, especially with a
thunderous body check in the opening period that
brought the Prospera Place crowd to their feet.
"That's what I like to do, play physical. I think
it gives me that much more energy and I'm playing my
best when I'm physical. I thought I did a good job of
that."
Comeau and the rest of Team Canada play their final
tune-up game against Russia tonight in Kamloops before
opening up the tournament on Boxing Day in Vancouver
against Finland.
‘Special’
time for Comeau
By Doyle Potenteau
Monday, December 19, 2005
Blake
Comeau is sleeping a lot easier these nights, knowing a
goal he’s been dreaming of for years will soon be
realized. In seven sleeps, to be exact.
“To be part of the world junior tournament is
special,” Comeau said of the 11-day tournament that
begins a week from today on Dec. 26, when Canada opens
against Finland in Vancouver.
But before that Boxing Day matchup, Comeau and the baby
Nats will play two exhibition games — Tuesday in
Kelowna against the Czech Republic and Thursday in
Kamloops against Russia.
“To play for Canada is something more special,” said
the six-foot-two winger.
“And to have it in the Okanagan, to play an exhibition
game in front of the city and fans and (Rockets)
organization I’ve been playing my whole career for,
that’s something pretty special. It’s something
I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time.”
Central Okanagan hockey fans are also looking forward to
seeing Canada and Comeau play on Tuesday. That is,
judging from Friday’s fan reaction in the Rockets’
5-2 win over Portland in Kelowna. Just prior to the
contest, when the game scratches were announced, Comeau
and teammate Alexander Edler were given a rousing cheer
by the Prospera Place faithful for having made
Canada’s and Sweden’s national teams.
En route from Vancouver to Chase on Friday after
Canada’s roster was announced, Comeau wasn’t there
to acknowledge the support. He did via cellphone though,
saying it was much appreciated. And he hopes to show his
appreciation by playing well Tuesday against the Czechs,
a team chock-full of CHLers, such as Regina Pats sniper
Petr Kalus, one of the WHL’s most exciting forwards.
“It’s obvious those (guys) who play in the CHL, they
won’t shy away from physical play, especially the guys
who play out west,” said Comeau “These exhibition
games are important because we can learn from them. The
games start counting from Boxing Day, but we want to win
these games.
“We want to get better every day. We’re not building
for the medal round, but for the first round and every
game after.”
On Thursday night, prior to head coach Brent Sutter
announcing Team Canada’s final roster Friday morning,
Comeau said he’d have a restless night by renting
movies. And, for the most part, he did.
“We were all pretty nervous,” Comeau recalled. “I
didn’t end up renting any movies. I wound up going
back to the (hotel) room with my roommate (forward)
Michael Blunden (Erie Otters, OHL) and watching movies
on TV until pretty late.
“We were tired but we didn’t want to sleep. We’d
be pretty close to sleeping, then we’d ask each other
about being asleep yet. We’d say no, so we’d turn
the TV back on. We finally shut it down around 1 a.m.”
Rockets
blank Blazers as WJC hopefuls face off
By Doyle Potenteau
Sunday, December 11, 2005, 12:00 AM
KELOWNA
— It took 48 minutes and 30 seconds, but Blake Comeau
finally got the better of Devan Dubnyk on Saturday.
Riding a wave of power plays in the third period — 10
to be exact, and cashing in on three of them — the
Kelowna Rockets blanked the Kamloops Blazers 4-0 in
Western Hockey League action Saturday night at Prospera
Place.
Comeau got into the scoring spree by firing a power-play
bullet past Dubnyk. But today, any rivalries that exist
between Comeau and Dubnyk have been shelved. At least
temporarily.
Both leave their respective communities today for
Vancouver to attend Team Canada’s final
selection camp for the upcoming 2006 world junior hockey
championship.
“There’s always a rivalry between us and Kamloops,”
said Comeau, whose 12th goal of the season made it 3-0.
Comeau’s marker, and Kelowna’s 46th shot of the
night, also got Dubnyk — by far the game’s best
player — yanked from the game. Had it not been for the
rangy six-foot-six netminder, Saturday’s score would
have been much higher.
“He’s a good goaltender, and that’s why he’s
been invited to the world juniors,” Comeau said.
“He’s one of the top goaltenders in junior hockey
and he proved it again tonight. I played under-18 with
him and been with him at (world-junior) camps. He’s
impressed me every time I’ve seen him play and played
against him.
”Dubnyk’s thoughts are now focused on making Team
Canada.
“It’s a short camp and you have to go into it
flying,” said Dubnyk. “(Comeau) is a real good
hockey player. So are (Justin) Keller and (Troy) Bodie.
I see them around, and it’s pretty easy to put (the
rivalry) away. I have a lot of respect for those guys on
the ice. It’s fun to play against them, and yes, there
is a rivalry, but it’s easy to put away.”
special teams in hockey are huge now and our power play
clicked, which was good for us.”
After Darzins’ goal at 3:41, Comeau made it 3-0 at
11:30, then Ofukany closed out the scoring at 14:51. All
of Kelowna’s third-period goals came on the power
play.
Comeau
receives invite
By Doyle Potenteau
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Brent
Sutter is keeping true to his word, much to Blake
Comeau’s delight.
Three weeks ago in this newspaper, Sutter, head coach of
Canada’s national junior team, said “we’re
counting on (Comeau) to be a very good player for us
come Christmas-time.”
On Monday, the six-foot-one winger for the Kelowna
Rockets was one of 34 players named to the national
junior team’s final selection camp that starts Sunday
in Vancouver.
“When you read comments like that from the head coach,
it’s definitely a good feeling,” Comeau said on
being one step closer to representing Canada at the 2006
world junior hockey championship.
Team Canada’s 22-man roster will be announced Dec. 16
in Vancouver, with the world junior tournament starting
Dec. 26 on three different fronts; Vancouver, Kelowna
and Kamloops.
“But there’s always that chance a guy might not make
it,” continued Comeau, 19. “So, first of all, I’m
honoured I did make the (final) camp. I’m done yet,
though, because there’s a team to be made.”
Not only was Comeau’s selection not surprising, but
also as expected were the large number defencemen chosen
from the WHL. Of the 12 rearguards invited, six are from
the West, including the team’s only returnee from last
season, Cam Barker of the Medicine Hat Tigers.
There should have been seven, but, strangely, hulking
Vancouver Giants blue-liner and captain Mark Fistric
wasn’t issued a final-camp invite.
“If there are 12 guys better than Mark Fistric, I
don’t see how we wouldn’t win a gold medal for
sure,” Giants owner Ron Toigo told The Province. “If
there are 12 guys better than Mark Fistric, we’ve got
the best defence in the world by a mile. I can’t think
of two guys better than him right now.”
Up front, only four WHLers were issued invites; Comeau,
Dustin Boyd (Moose Jaw Warriors), Kyle Chipchura (Prince
Albert Raiders) and Devin Setoguchi (Saskatoon Blades).
“That was the case last year too,” said Comeau, who
woke up at 5:15 a.m. Monday morning to a 7:45 a.m.
flight to attend Hockey Canada’s press conference in
Vancouver.
“There’s a lot of WHL defencemen, which goes to show
how good our league is defensively and what type of
players we bring out of our league.
“The other leagues, they have good scorers, so it’s
the same story it has been in previous seasons. But the
guys coming out of the WHL are all pretty
competitive.”
Nov 30 2005
Rocket trio ready for the Russians
By
Warren Henderson Staff Reporter, kelownacapnews.com
As much as it will be a homecoming for Blake Comeau,
the Canada-Russia Challenge in Saskatchewan this week
will have more to do with making a lasting impression.
The rugged Kelowna Rockets forward hopes to consolidate
his case for a spot on Canada's national junior squad as
Team WHL battles Russia tonight in Saskatoon and again
on Thursday in Regina.
National junior head coach Brent Sutter, who will also
be coaching Team WHL, will have one more chance to
evaluate his western talent pool before the start of
Team Canada's selection camp next month in Vancouver.
"Most of the guys go in there knowing it's a
preliminary tryout," said Comeau, 19, a
native of Meadow Lake, Sask., who already has an
invitation to the final camp beginning Dec. 10.
"You need to go in there and make the best of the
opportunity.
"They're going to be looking at how guys play and
whether guys can bring it every night.
"It's another important step along the way."
Comeau is one of three Rockets who will wear Team
WHL colours this week on the Prairies; forward Justin
Keller will dress for both games, while stopper Derek
Yeomans will split the goaltending duties with Calgary's
Justin Pogge for the matchup in Regina.
Keller, who will serve as an assistant captain along
with Comeau for tonight's game, is looking
forward to his first sample of international
competition.
"It's going to be fun to play with and against a
lot of these guys for the first time," said Keller,
who leads the Rockets with 18 goals this season.
"I don't think you need to put too much pressure on
yourself, just go out there and showcase your skills and
enjoy it."
While Keller-a 2004 draft pick of the Tampa Bay
Lightning-will only be showcasing his talent for one NHL
club, Yeomans will be playing to a much broader
audience.
The St. Albert, Alta., native was passed over in the
last two NHL entry drafts, despite having posted some
solid numbers including a 1.83 goals against average
last season.
Still, Yeomans isn't about to heap too many expectations
on his own shoulders.
"I'm just glad I've been asked to be there,"
said Yeomans, who has a .925 save percentage and a
11-3-0-1 record this season.
"Obviously I want to do well and do the best I can,
and maybe catch the interest of some teams."
Meanwhile, Comeau will wear the C on his jersey
for Team WHL on Thursday in Regina, his first assignment
as a team captain since bantam AA hockey in Saskatchewan
five seasons ago.
"It's pretty amazing-I'm a bit overwhelmed they've
asked to me to wear it," added Comeau.
"It'll be nice to get to wear it in front of family
and friends."
Comeau
awarded WHL captaincy
By Doyle Potenteau
November 26, 2005 - Kelowna Daily Courier-Local
KELOWNA
— Blake Comeau will have his letter upgraded next
month, from A to C.
“I’ve been a captain before, but it’s been a long,
long time. My last year bantam, actually,” said Comeau,
the
Kelowna Rockets assistant captain who will lead one of
two WHL all-star teams for the 2005 ADT Canada-Russia
Challenge Series in Saskatoon and Regina next week.
Kyle Chipchura of the Prince Albert Raiders will captain
the WHL’s first entry on Nov. 30 in Saskatoon, while
Comeau, the Rockets’ leading scorer, will lead the
WHL’s second entry in Regina on Dec. 1.
In all, 35 WHLers, including a trio of Rockets in Comeau,
winger Justin Keller of Summerland and goaltender Derek
Yeomans, will compete in the two-game series against the
touring Russians, who are currently halfway through
their six-game CHL trek of Canada. The Europeans went
0-2 against the QMJHL and are 0-1 against the OHL, with
the series’ fourth game to take place Monday.
Comeau and Keller will play in both games, while Yeomans
will split netminding duties in Regina with Calgary
Hitmen ’stopper Justin Pogge of Penticton.
Another Okanagan tie to the two-game series is Brady
Calla of Kelowna. The Everett Silvertips winger will
play in Regina.
For Comeau, captaining Saskatoon would have been nicer,
since he’s from Meadow Lake, located 90 minutes
northwest. But Regina is still fine, he notes.
“It’d be a nice switch because all my friends and
family would go to the game,” said Comeau, who will be
an assistant captain in Saskatoon, along with Keller and
Dustin Boyd of the Moose Jaw Warriors.
In Regina, Comeau’s assistants will be Chipchura, Boyd
and Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Cam Barker.
All of them are 19 years old.
“But I don’t think they’ll be going to Regina,”
continued Comeau. “Still, to be honoured with
something like that, it’s amazing . . . it’s a
pretty special feeling. To be named captain, it’s
pretty special and it wouldn’t have happened without
the help of my teammates.
“It’s a huge honour, and something like this has
never happened to me before. I’ve had a pretty
successful junior career, going to the Memorial Cup
three times with the team, but this, this is pretty
amazing and it makes you feel pretty good about
yourself.”
Today, Comeau, Keller and Yeomans aren’t concentrating
on next week’s series. Rather, they’re focused on
the Regina Pats and tonight’s 7 p.m. tilt against the
East Division franchise.
It’s the second and final meeting of the season
between Kelowna (16-7-1-1) and Regina (15-11-0-0), with
the Rockets having bested the Pats 6-4 on Oct. 7 in
Regina.
Kelowna held a 4-0 lead in that contest before the Pats
rallied by scoring three unanswered goals to make things
interesting.
The Rockets enter tonight’s tilt with two days’ rest
following a 5-2 victory over the visiting Medicine Hat
Tigers on Wednesday. For the Pats, it’s game seven of
a seven-game Western Conference road trip. On Friday,
the Pats were in Vancouver to play the Giants.
WHL THIS WEEK -
News Edition
By
Jesse Watts 11/24/2005
COMEAU, ROCKETS AIM FOR PIECE OF MAJOR JUNIOR HISTORY
- Blake Comeau might not be considered a Western Hockey
League superstar.
He doesn't receive the attention that high-profile
players such as Dion Phaneuf, Gilbert Brule, or Ryan
Getzlaf garnered during their time in the WHL.
Yet, the 19-year-old winger from Meadow Lake, SK, has
quietly carved out a truly impressive WHL career that
surely would draw the envy of any Major Junior hockey
player.
Comeau, in his fourth WHL campaign, has enjoyed a level
of success with the Kelowna Rockets that very few Major
Junior hockey players experience. In his first three WHL
seasons, he's twice hoisted the President's Trophy as a
WHL champion - in 2003 and 2005 - and he's made three
consecutive trips to the Memorial Cup, including winning
the storied trophy in front of a home crowd when the
Rockets hosted the tournament in 2004.
Now, Comeau and the Rockets have a chance to do
something very special, something accomplished only once
before in the history of Major Junior hockey - make a
fourth consecutive appearance at the CHL's championship
tournament.
"I think it's a really important thing for the
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