- Mike Komisarek
-
Mike Komisarek Born January 19, 1982
West Islip, NY, USAHeight 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight 243 lb (110 kg; 17 st 5 lb) Position Defense Shoots Right NHL team
Former teamsToronto Maple Leafs
Montreal CanadiensNational team 
United StatesNHL Draft 7th overall, 2001
Montreal CanadiensPlaying career 2002–present Michael Komisarek (born January 19, 1982) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Contents
Playing career
Amateur years
Komisarek began playing competitively on Long Island, New York, starting off in the Suffolk PAL organization. He played two years of Varsity hockey at St. Anthony's High School (New York). He then played for the New England Jr. Coyotes of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) under legendary coach Gary Dineen. He was then picked up by USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He is a student of the respected Lithuanian hockey coach Aleksey Nikiforov.
College career
Komisarek played two seasons at the University of Michigan, piling up 46 points and 145 penalty minutes in 80 games. He helped the Wolverines to a 55-24-10 mark, a CCHA title and two trips to the NCAA Frozen Four.[1] One of his teammates was fellow Long Islander Eric Nystrom, who was drafted by the Calgary Flames.
Professional career
After two seasons with the University of Michigan, Komisarek was selected seventh overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He played his first NHL game in the 2002–03 season with the Canadiens. He re-signed with the Canadiens in 2007 for a 2 year contract for 3.4 million dollars, along with his friend Christopher Higgins, who is also from Long Island.
Komisarek scored his first NHL goal, vs the Washington Capitals on March 20, 2006, where he was named the first star of the game.[2] His willingness to stand up for his teammates and his hard-hitting style made him a fan favourite in the Bell Centre.
In July 2009, Komisarek signed a 5-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, averaging $4.5 million per season. On January 2, 2010, Komisarek injured his shoulder in a game against the Calgary Flames, and on February 3, 2010, it was revealed he would require season-ending surgery. This also meant Komisarek would miss the 2010 Winter Olympics, as he was chosen to represent Team USA.[3]
Personal life
Komisarek is of Polish descent. His father, Roman Komisarek, was 24 when he moved to the U.S., where he eventually opened an auto-body repair shop on Long Island.[4] Roman Komisarek left his wife Kathy behind in Poland until he could earn enough to afford an apartment and support her. Speaking of his parents' move to the U.S., Komisarek stated that, "At that time, my parents knew they wanted to start a family and give me and my sister a better opportunity. [...](My father) moved to Brooklyn, found a job and didn't know the language at all. He just had the clothes on his back. Now, we have a nice home on Long Island, and my parents provided everything we ever needed. I always carried that with me. I always wanted to make them proud." [5][dead link] Komisarek also has a sister named Joanne, who is two years younger than he is. His sister is a graduate of Boston College.[4] He also speaks Polish.
Komisarek's mother, Kathy, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2005 and died in November 2005. She was 51.[6]
Awards and achievements
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (2009)
- AHL All-Rookie Team (2003)
- NCAA West First All-American Team (2002)
- CCHA First All-Star Team (2002)
- CCHA Best Defensive Defensemen (2002)
- CCHA All-Tournament Team (2002)
- CCHA All-Rookie Team (2001)
Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2000–01 Michigan Wolverines CCHA 41 4 12 16 77 — — — — — 2001–02 Michigan Wolverines CCHA 39 11 19 30 68 — — — — — 2002–03 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 56 5 25 30 79 23 1 5 6 60 2002–03 Montreal Canadiens NHL 21 0 1 1 28 — — — — — 2003–04 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 18 2 7 9 47 — — — — — 2003–04 Montreal Canadiens NHL 46 0 4 4 34 7 0 0 0 8 2004–05 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 20 1 4 5 49 4 0 1 1 8 2005–06 Montreal Canadiens NHL 73 2 4 6 116 6 0 0 0 10 2006–07 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 4 15 19 116 — — — — — 2007–08 Montreal Canadiens NHL 75 4 13 17 101 12 1 2 3 18 2008–09 Montreal Canadiens NHL 66 2 9 11 121 4 0 0 0 20 2009–10 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 34 0 4 4 40 — — — — — 2010–11 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 75 1 9 10 86 — — — — — NHL totals 470 13 59 72 622 29 1 2 3 56 International play
Played for the United States in:
- 2000 World Junior Championships (Under 18)
- 2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
- 2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
- 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
International statistics
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 2000 United States WJC18 6 0 0 0 12 2001 United States WJC 7 0 0 0 0 2002 United States WJC 7 0 2 2 14 2006 United States WCh 7 0 1 1 4 References
- ^ Bo Rottenborn (2009-01-08). "On Ice: Winter Wonderland". ncaa.com. http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/010809aab.html. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
- ^ Associated Press (2006-03-2006). "Recap: Montréal @ Washington". nhl.com. http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2005021011. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Leafs' Komisarek to have season-ending surgery". February 3, 2010. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516144.
- ^ a b Pat Hickey (2008-03-11). "Hits keep coming for Komisarek". The Gazette. http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/sports/story.html?id=73dd5955-d210-4cf3-a5c6-444c82a8f4c0&k=96860. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/college/college111501.html
- ^ Herb Zurkowsky (2005-12-07). "A son mourns his mother". The Gazette. http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=48a35618-442d-47d7-9370-a2b54034b271&k=95740. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
External links
- Mike Komisarek's biography at Legends of Hockey
- Mike Komisarek's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
- Mike Komisarek at TSN.ca
Preceded by
Marcel HossaMontreal Canadiens first round draft pick
2001Succeeded by
Alexander PerezhoginCategories:- 1982 births
- American ice hockey defencemen
- Hamilton Bulldogs players
- Living people
- Montreal Canadiens draft picks
- Montreal Canadiens players
- Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey players
- National Hockey League first round draft picks
- People from Long Island
- American people of Polish descent
- Toronto Maple Leafs players
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