Blake Comeau

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.

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 )

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.

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."

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
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* Video of Blake Comeau Returning to the Kelowna Rockets - Click Here
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* Video of Blake Comeau pre-WJC press interview - Click Here
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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.

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.

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