Comrie dominant in early season

Spider Man made a special appearance at Yost Ice Arena on Devil's Night. The superhero was rewarded with the chance to play Score-O.

But while Spiderman's visits are rare, it seems like another caped crusader has been watching over the Michigan hockey team - disguising himself as starting center Mike Comrie.

So maybe Comrie really isn't Superman in disguise, but this year his dominating game has been almost surreal. In only seven games, Comrie has already racked up 13 points, including eight goals on 31 shots.

Perhaps even more important is that he has recorded a point in every game.

On Saturday against Yale, Comrie notched an assist on Mark Kosick's even-strength goal, Michigan's second of the night, which put the Wolverines on top for good.

DANA LINNANE/Daily Michigan center Mike Comrie is on his way to a stellar season. Comrie has already notched 13 points in only seven games.

Comrie's most dominant performance of the season came in Michigan's season-opening series at Notre Dame. In the two games, Comrie recorded four goals and his first career hat trick. En route, he scored two unassisted goals within 23 seconds of each other while the Fighting Irish were at full strength.

"(Comrie) is a player that will pick up points," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "He's a skilled player, a very gifted, skilled player."

Last season, as a freshman, Comrie led the Wolverines in scoring with 44 points and was the only freshman to play in all 42 games. The title of leading goal-scorer, went to Josh Langfeld, who recorded 21 on the season.

Those 44 points and 19 goals were enough to earn Comrie the CCHA Rookie of the Year Award. If Comrie were to continue at his pace this year, he could pick up 40 goals and at least 68 points through the regular season.

Undoubtedly, that's all speculation. It's a long season, anything can happen. But one thing is certain - Comrie is making himself known around the league.

"The other teams all point at him as a player to stop," Berenson said. "It's more difficult for him now in his current role as the team's leading scorer."

The statistics tell one story - Comrie is an offensive threat to his opponents. But there is much more there that the numbers can't reveal.

"You can't just measure a player by his points," Berenson said. "Mike's a sophomore and he's got a leading role on this team as the No. 1 center. We look to him to give us a spark offensively ... he's a young player that has a lot of responsibility."

With added responsibility comes added pressure, especially when you're under the constant glare of the spotlight. But Comrie welcomes the challenge.

"As a player, I've dealt with that kind of pressure before," Comrie said. "As a hockey player, you learn to deal with it and kind of enjoy it. I love being out there, I love winning games and I love helping the team win games.

"If you ask anyone in the dressing room, they enjoy the pressure and they enjoy the fans wanting you to create opportunities."

With all his personal accolades, Comrie attributes much of his success to his teammates.

"I came into this season more confident," Comrie said. "I knew what to expect this year - you have to work hard in this league to be successful.

"Everyone I've been playing with has been great. They've all been working hard and giving me the puck, and I've been giving it back to them. Things have been working out."

Former Michigan defenseman Bobby Hayes, who played with both Comrie and former Hobey Baker winner Brendan Morrison, sees some similarities between the two offensive powers.

"Comrie is one of the most skilled offensive players I've seen at Michigan," Hayes said. "He ranks right up there with Brendan Morrison in my book. I'm not so sure that he'll put up the same numbers as Brendan, but Mike has a great mind for the game and will do well both here and at the next level."

The Edmonton Oilers seem to think so too. Last June they drafted Comrie in the third round. Comrie is originally from Edmonton, and his brother Paul is on the Oilers' roster.

But for Comrie, titles and awards are beside the point. He is simply focused on the task at hand.

"The Hobey Baker and the draft are things you don't think about," Comrie said. "You just go out there and play your game and try to win. You don't worry about whether you're going to score goals or be the MVP."

11-01-99