Monday, August 31, 2009

Following In the Footsteps of Cuthbert, Moen and Flichel


It looks like MacKenzie Johnston will be calling Kelowna home this winter.
The 16 year-old from Swift Current, Saskatchewan played midget hockey with his hometown Legionnaries last season, dressing for 39 games, scoring once and adding 3 assists.
Johnston was never drafted by a WHL team, but Rockets scout Lorne Frey liked him so much when he attended training camp two years ago after playing bantam hockey in Notre Dame, he listed the defenceman.
Frey has had success pulling players out of southwest Saskatchewan in the past. Look no further than Marty Flichel (Hodgeville), Travis Moen (Stewart Valley) and Ryan Cuthbert (Swift Current).

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Bye Bye Benn


The end of August also means the end of the WHL career for Jamie Benn.
The 20 year-old forward officially heads down to Dallas Monday for Stars training camp.
The Victoria B.C resident will most likely participate with the Stars in the Traverse City tournament (September 6-10) with other NHL prospects before heading to main camp with Dallas in early September.
Benn spent a few days in Kelowna last week tuning up for pro camp by working out with the Rockets, a team that he spent two successful seasons with.
Benn's departure is one of many the Rockets will be experience over the next week as 7 players attend pro camps across North American.
If you missed it on the weekend the Rockets lost a pair of games to Chilliwack in exhibition action. The scores were 4-2 and 2-1. The Rockets face Kamloops in a pair of tuneup games this weekend.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Quick Note

  • The Rockets roster against the Bruins tonight has Adam Brown and Patrick Fairclough as the two goaltenders. Jamie Benn, Tyler Myers, Colin Long and Cody Almond won't play in tonight's exhibition game. All four may not see any exhibition games considering they are attending NHL training camps shortly.
  • Brandon McMillan told me Thursday he is moving back as a forward this season. McMillan says the team that drafted him, Anaheim, would like to see him develop there in possibly his final season in the WHL. McMillan played the majority of last season as a defenceman after the Rockets failed to acquire a veteran presence on the blue line at the trade deadline.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Audio Blogging With Mitchell Callahan




A Priceless Picture

Special thanks to Mark Guggenberger's mom for sending me this photo. Yes this is Mark Guggenberger in a one-on-one situation with Colin Long back in 1999 when they were both 10 years-old. Did Gugg's make the save or did Longer snap it home - pipe and in? Laura Guggenberger says Mark made the save. Either way, does it really matter? It's picture perfect.

*I have no clue how many parents of Rockets players actually read 'Regan's Rant, but if you have a picture of your son from his minor hockey days, I would love to post it here. Just e-mail me at rbartel@radio.astral.com

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Quick Thoughts On Day Two

  • One of the first things I noticed when speaking with veteran forward Mitchell Callahan on Wednesday was his two front teeth are missing. Callahan says he lost them this summer while playing hockey with friends. Something tells me he wasn't wearing his mouth guard during the shinny game with his buddies.
  • Veteran goaltender Adam Brown had a good summer. The 17 year-old spent some time at the NHL draft watching his cousin get drafted in the first round by Colorado. Matt Duchene is Brown's first cousin. Duchene's mom and Brown's dad are siblings.
  • Shane McColgan's gear arrived after being lost or misplaced by the airline during his trip from Germany. McColgan was on the ice Wednesday participating in drills with team blue.
  • The Rockets new jersey's are expected to be unveiled early next month. The tighter fitting uniforms fall into line with the ones worn at the NHL level. Fans may be the big winners with the change. The Rockets existing jersey's are on sale at the Rockets souvenir store 'In the Crease' at Prospera Place.
  • Those operating the new video screens at Prospera Place will be housed in a location in the East corner of the arena when the puck officially drops September 17th. The space was primarily used as a standing room only section during the playoffs.
  • The word I've received is the visiting radio broadcast booth at Prospera Place will remain as is. The visiting broadcast booth was made significantly smaller late last season when a room was constructed to house the equipment needed for video replay. Sorry Westy!
  • If Colin Long does in fact sign a contract with the Coyotes and plays pro this season, is Lucas Bloodoff not the obvious choice for team captain?
  • Did you know that Prospera Place is now 10 years old? It was completed August 9, 1999.
  • The Rockets are celebrating their 15th season in the Okanagan this season. The franchise (Tacoma/Kelowna) will celebrate it's 20th birthday in 2010-2011.

Mitchell Callahan On Video

Pic's From Day Two

Rookie goaltender Patrick Fairclough looks on.
Rookie Brett Bulmer impressed coach Huska during last night's scrimmage.
Evan Bloodoff taking in the morning session.
St-D dangling before practice.
I'm not sure this lanky defenceman is good enough to make the roster. Oh, it's Tyler Myers. Scratch that thought!
Rookie goaltender Jordon Cooke.
Assistant coach Kim Dillabaugh has a laugh with Jamie Benn and Curt Gogol.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Thoughts On Day One Of Main Camp

  • I was impressed by the workman like approach Jamie Benn brought to the opening day of training camp. Benn could simply go through the motions with the assurance that he has already signed a pro contract and is earmarked for a spot in the Dallas Stars system. Maybe that's the sign of a mature player who isn't about to rest on his laurels?
  • One defenceman that stood out on day one was rookie Antoine Corbin. Corbin was only smurfed by 6'8 veteran d-man Tyler Myers. If the Rockets were awarding roster spots on size alone, Corbin would be in the lineup opening night. Corbin was a 5th round pick in 2007.
    The best goalie mask at camp goes to 16 year-old Stephen Klein. Klein has a detailed painted mask that would make anyone jealous. If Klein ever makes the team, the mask will have to go. GM Bruce Hamilton prefers all of his goalies to have 'white' only masks.
  • I am not sure how rookie forward Shane McColgan did in fitness testing Monday, but if he had less than favorable results, don't blame him. McColgan arrived late Sunday night after a 17 hour trip from Germany where he helped the U.S.A win a bronze medal at the Five Nations Tournament. McColgan was bagged physically, but still managed his fitness test under the watchful eye of athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn. Fortunately for McColgan his equipment was lost by the airline, so he was unable to participate in the opening day of camp. McColgan's misfortune of losing his gear may have been a blessing in disguise.
  • I was asked by one observer taking in Rockets camp today on how many goals I could see McColgan scoring this season. My answer? Hopefully 20. Rory McDade and Kevin Korol hold the Rockets franchise record for goals scored by a 16 year-old, with 15 each during the 1997-98 season. Kyle McLeod had 12 in 1998-99 as a 16 year-old. To think Prince George Cougars forward Brett Connelly, at 16, had 30 goals on a bad team.
  • Lost in the hype over McColgan is Zachery Franko. Franko is at main camp after being the Rockets second pick in the 2008 draft. Franko may feel like Spencer Main, who was a virtual unknown after being drafted behind the Rockets first pick in the 2007 draft, Luke Moffatt.
  • Speaking of Moffatt, I had the pleasure of talking to his father Kennie the other day. Kennie Moffatt didn't want to go into detail on why his son isn't at training camp, but admitted that he continuely watches the successes that the Rockets have enjoyed over the years. Kennie tells me that his son Luke was one of the first friends to call Rockets defenceman Kyle Verdino following a horrible car accident this summer.
  • I will be watching with interest when Colin Long attends Phoenix Coyotes camp in early September. Will Long make a big enough impression that the Coyotes offer him a contract, or do they send him back to junior for his 20 year-old season? I wouldn't hold my breath considering the Coyotes have been unable to pay prospects like former Rockets forward Justin Bernhardt signing bonus money.
  • I noticed a significant jump in the level of play from rookie to main camp. The speed, passing, goaltending and overall finish around the net took a huge step forward. Had that not occurred, I'd be freaking out.

Video Blogging


Rookie Jordon Cooke is one of 7 goaltenders looking at making an impression. Cooke is one of five new faces trying to keep the puck out of the net.

McColgan Can't Participate On Day One

Shane McColgan traveled for 17 hours to get from Germany to Kelowna for the start of main camp. One problem though. The airline lost his hockey gear. McColgan will hopefully be on the ice tomorrow.
New assistant coach Dan Lambert takes a skate during on-ice workouts. The guy looks like he could still play.
Adam Brown was on the ice during the morning session.

Colin Long is one of three 20 year-olds on the Rockets roster.
Spencer Main is a year older and should be a year wiser.
The score clock at Prospera Place now has the video monitors attached. Each monitor is 6 feet high and 12 feet wide. It took 20 hours to install all four monitors.
Jamie Benn grabbing a breather.

Monday, August 24, 2009

On The Eve Of Main Camp Beginning

  • Main camp opens Tuesday morning without veteran goaltender Mark Guggenberger. Guggenberger is out with a groin injury. So that leaves five goaltenders battling for a spot on this years team, but you would think its essentially a fight between Guggenberger and Adam Brown for the #1 duties. My general feeling is neither would want to play 'second fiddle' this season as a back-up, so it would be best to watch rookie goaltenders Patrick Fairclough and Jordon Cooke closely.
  • Fairclough was the Rockets 10th round pick in 2007 while Cook was the Rockets 4th round pick in 2008.
  • Thirteen (13) rookie are headed to main camp. Among the 13 are Sean MacTavish, Tanner Moore and Colton Heffley. All three are just 15. MacTavish is the biggest name of the bunch considering his dad is former NHL'er Craig MacTavish. MacTavish was a 9th round pick this summer.
  • Of those three players mentioned, I have to admit I am hoping Heffley has a solid camp. Why? The kid is from Swift Current. Enough said. Heffley played with the bantam Raiders last season. Heffley was taken in the second round of the 2008 draft.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

McColgan Scores Twice

Rockets forward Shane McColgan scored twice Saturday leading the U-S-A Under-17 Select Team to a 9-6 win over Germany at the Under-17 Five Nations tournament. The U-S-A finished the five team tournament 2 and 2. McColgan is expected to arrive in Kelowna for the start of main camp on Tuesday. Registration for the veteran players is Monday night.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Heatley Grabs Headlines/Benn Back In Kelowna

  • I had little opportunity to invest a significant amount of time at Rockets rookie camp on Friday do to Dany Heatley. The Ottawa Senators forward met with the media Friday morning at the Cap-News Centre to explain publicly why he wants to be traded by the Ottawa Senators. After totalling digesting what Heatley had to say, I too am having a hard time buying what he is selling.

  • What a week it's been. Golfing great Greg Norman is in Peachland Tuesday announcing that he is going to build a golf course in that small Okanagan community and now Dany Heatley holds a news conference Friday in Kelowna which grabs national attention. I would have never thought nine years ago that a move to a city of 100 thousand would attract such high profile athletes. From a sports fan and media perspective I am thanking my lucky stars.

  • I took in the Friday afternoon session at Rockets rookie camp. From my short stay I noticed specifically the goaltenders having an especially hard time keeping the puck out of the net. In a camp that consists of scrimmage after scrimmage the goaltender is often the one that seems to be the most exposed. Blown defensive coverage and some skilled forwards make for a bad recipe for goaltenders wanting to make an impression.

  • Stepan Novotny and Curt Gogol are just two more veterans that have arrived in Kelowna for the start of main camp on Tuesday.

  • When the Rockets open main camp on Tuesday, don't be surprised to see Jamie Benn and Cody Almond on the ice. While both players are signed, Benn and Almond will take part in drills considering they are both eligible to return for their 20 year-old season.

  • While Mikael Backlund will spend a few days in Kelowna, I've been told he won't participate at training camp.

  • When main camp opens Tuesday, two-a-day workouts are scheduled for 9 am until about noon with an evening session starting in the neighborhood of 6:30.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Quick Thoughts - Day One

  • Good intensity in the early morning session on day one of rookie camp. You could tell that the players competing in the first session wanted to make a positive impression. I am sure the players were as surprised as I was to see head coach Ryan Huska on the ice as the unofficial referee. If I was wanting to be noticed, it was no better time than to prove I can play with coach Huska just a few feet away from the action.
  • Craig MacTavish's son has made it to camp. Sean MacTavish was the Rockets 9th round pick in this summers WHL Bantam draft. I haven't seen him play, but I will try to make a point of watching him over the next three days. You would think with his son participating at rookie camp, Mac-T would be one of the parents cheering their kid on in the stands.
  • Veterans are slowly making their way back to the Okanagan after a quick summer. Goaltender Adam Brown is back in town and even Mikael Backlund is expected to make an appearance in the next couple of days.
  • I ran into Kim Dillabaugh at the rink. 'Dilly' is back with the hockey club again this season on more of a part-time assistant basis. He won't be seen on the bench this season. Dillabaugh's workload with the LA Kings is such that he will work with the organizations goalies about 15 days out of every month. That means Dillabaugh will make few road trips with the team this season.
  • I had a good chat with Rockets athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn Thursday morning. Thorburn looks relaxed despite having close to 175 rookies to contend with. Thorburn is getting some help this week from Gary Creed, a huge hockey fan and RCMP officer.
  • Shane McColgan was kicked out in the second period of the U-S Select Under 17 Team's 4-3 win Thursday over Switzerland at the Under 17 Five Nation Cup in Germany. The Kelowna Rockets forward was issued a game misconduct in the second period, yet the game sheet doesn't say why. McColgan and Team U-S-A face the Czech Republic Friday.

Rockets Rookie Camp In Pictures

Good signage greets the players at Prospera Place.
It's time for the Kelowna Rockets top 15 and 16 year-olds to show what they can do during rookie camp.
Rockets scouts watching the action closely.
Parents at Prospera Place watching the action.
Look closely. The scoreclock at Prospera Place looks just a touch different. Notice the black supports on the top of the clock. Video monitors will be installed to give fans a replay of all the action.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

F.Y.I


  • Rockets rookie camp begins this afternoon at 5 o'clock with registration, with those players meeting with the coaching staff shortly after that. Close to 175 rookies will take part in the four day camp.
  • On ice sessions begin tomorrow morning at 7 am at Prospera Place. Close to 10 teams will compete in on-ice scrimmages, with the camp coming to a close Sunday afternoon with the final workout at 1:30.
  • Main Camp begins Monday August 24th with registration and a meeting with the coaches. The veterans take to the ice Tuesday through Thursday of next week.
  • The Rockets first round pick from this summers draft will be unable to participate in drills. Fifteen year-old Jason Siebert underwent shoulder surgery in June after dislocating his shoulder. Siebert is at camp, but only as an observer.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

McColgan Wearing Country's Colours

Kelowna Rockets forward Shane McColgan is wearing U-S-A colours this week as he participates at the 2009 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament in Germany. McColgan and the U-S-A fell 3-2 to Slovakia today in the opening game. Team U-S-A play Switzerland on Thursday. The Five Nations Tournament features teams from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany and the United States.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Non Hockey Related, But Still Pretty Cool

Greg Norman made a stop in Kelowna today. The golf great was actually in nearby Peachland
announcing details on a new championship golf course planned for the community of five thousand. Norman has designed over 70 championship golf courses world-wide, and it was pretty amazing to see him in the Okanagan for the announcement.
Norman tends to draw a crowd. He's kind of a big deal!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Things That Make Me Go Hmm....

  • Kyle Verdino is spending a great deal of time with athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn and a great deal of time on a stationary bike. The Kelowna Rockets defenceman is back in Kelowna in an effort to recover from a June automobile accident in Phoenix, Arizona. Verdino, 18, suffered a broken hand and ankle and numerous stitches to both his face and body. The road to recovery will be a slow process, but Verdino would like nothing more than to join the team on the ice after Christmas.
  • The Kelowna Rockets will have to fill the void left by Ryan Watters who has resigned from the hockey club after three seasons as the teams marketing assistant. Watters will be best known as a game night host with a microphone in his hand entertaining the crowd during a stoppage in play. You have to give Watters credit for some of the stunts he pulled off with a less than adequate video monitor to help his cause.
  • Speaking of interesting players to watch for at main camp, keep your eyes on Brett Bulmer. Bulmer was the Rockets 11th round pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft. Bulmer was third in BC Midget League scoring last season with the Cariboo Cougars. Bulmer saw some playing time with the Rockets last season as a 16 year-old. It will be interesting to see if he can crack the roster this season.
  • It's great to hear that Torrie Jung has been given an NHL tryout with the Edmonton Oilers. Jung will be back with the Edmonton Oil Kings this season after posting the 7th best goals against average in the league last season. Jung was originally listed by the Rockets, a team he saw action with for 66 games.
  • Now that the Rockets have finalized their 2009-2010 schedule, it should be pointed out that the team plays four-three in three's this season. Earlier it was stated the Rockets only play three times on three consecutive nights.
  • One portion of the schedule the Rockets will be shaking their heads at comes in late February when they host Calgary on Friday February 19th, only to bus through the night to face the Hawks in Portland the next evening. The marathon concludes with a game in Kent on Sunday February 21st against the T-Birds. To make matters worse, game time is an afternoon affair starting at 5:05.
  • That three in three only looks remotely better than a game in Tri City Friday October 23rd, followed by a home game the next night against Vancouver. To wrap up the weekend the Rockets return the favor against the Giants Sunday afternoon for a game that again starts at 5 o'clock.
  • Of the six games the Rockets play on Sunday, five of the six start at 5 o'clock. The only exception is a 6 o'clock start when the Rockets are in Spokane November 15th.
  • I was asked the other day how many players the Rockets are projected to lose from last years team. The answer is six, if indeed Tyler Myers and Colin Long return. Cody Almond, Michael Backlund, Tysen Dowzak, Ian Duval, Ryley Grantham and Jamie Benn will not return. All six have either signed or are ineligible.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Ice Ice Baby!


I don't think I've ever spoken to someone more excited about ice than Wayne Pansegrau. It's his life, and he's good at making it.

Pansegrau is the manager of operations for Prospera Place - the home of the Kelowna Rockets - and is often seen walking around the building during home games to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Pansegrau is so good at his job, he's one of three Kelowna residents volunteering their services for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Pansegrau and the Prospera Place ice crew will be putting in the ice on Sunday, so I thought it would be interesting to get a perspective of what it takes to make one of the best ice surfaces in the entire WHL.

"It's a bit of a lengthy process. People think you just take the hose and throw some water out there and let it freeze and then go skating. It's about a three or four day process. It can be done quicker but we make sure we take our time and schedule it so we don't kill our staff in putting it in. We will start Sunday and then will have it ready to go by the 19th, which is a Wednesday or a day before the Rockets open camp."

So what does it take to get the ice 'hockey ready'.

"Making ice is very time consuming. It's done in very thin layers. What we do is put down 6 or 7 thin layers - what we call the bond - and it's those layers that bond the entire ice surface to the concrete. Then what we do is mix in white powdered paint with the water and so that's what we paint the whole surface with. Now we seal that in with another six or seven layers and then at this point were are approaching about a 16th of an inch to seal in the white paint. From there we put all of our hockey lines, circles and dots down. All of our lines and dots are hand painted."

I understand you are using a new process to put down the logo's on the ice?

"Traditionally what we've done in the past is we have done all the paint in logo's, but this year we are trying something that we've done in the past for World Juniors by using a lay in logo. We can actually lay a material that actually for a lack for a better word is a window screen type of material, and they print the logo right on that. We just lay that into the ice and we seal it in with water and just keep freezing it in. It saves a ton of labour. All of our logo's this season on the ice will be the lay in style and a then we will be able to use them year in and year out."

Does the +25 degree temperatures outside cause a problem for you in creating the ice?

"When it comes to the morning of the 20th - when the guys are stepping out to skate on it - that's when it becomes an issue and you are trying to maintain your surface and proper temperature. We run the floor or slab pretty cold so it's freezing fairly quickly. Obviously we have our air handlers on to cool the building as well, but when it comes time for them to skate we actually warm up the slab a little bit so it doesn't get too brittle and fractures."

Do the players let you know if the ice is poor?

"It's tough because the ice is so new. It tends to snow up a little bit more during camp then once it's been skated on for a few months. That's what actually strengthens the surface of the ice is all the skate marks and then continually putting hot water down and bonding all of those together. But in training camp it's a little weaker. We call it virgin ice or green ice so you have more opportunity for it not to be that great. Having a dry scrape halfway through the practice actually helps us quit a bit to maintain a better surface."

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Four To Watch Out For

Not since Josh Gorges and Mike Card has a Kelowna Rockets defenceman put up more points in back-to-back seasons than Tyson Barrie. Barrie's 95 points are only 5 fewer than Cards 100 and 6 fewer than Josh Gorges' 101 in back-to-back campaigns. Entering his third season in the WHL, Barrie will eat up huge minutes on a defencive core that loses just one veteran, 21 year-old Tysen Dowzak. Should Tyler Myers crack the Sabres lineup at 19, Barrie will be stretched even further to play a solid defensive game while generating offense from the blue line. It will be interesting to see how his game develops under new assistant coach Dan Lambert.
Mitchell Callahan is going to be fun to watch this season. The 18 year-old should only improve on his point totals this season as he takes on a greater share of the burden of generating offense. Callahan came into camp last season as a unknown rookie, and left with the most fighting majors of any newcomer in the Western Hockey League. If those fighting majors can be reduced just slightly, I can't see why 20 goals isn't in his future. Callahan has to remember what caught the eye if the Detroit Wings in the first place. It was his willingness to get involved. Lets hope he comes back to Kelowna with a truck load of confidence and gets involved on the score sheet a touch more in his sophomore season.
I anticipate the 2009-2010 season as a coming out party for Kyle St. Denis. We've heard the hype, now at 19, it's time for St. Denis to deliver. With his injury woes behind him, St-D should be near or at the top of the Rockets scoring parade this season. A point a game guy until he was injured early last season, St. Denis will also see huge minutes and will be the go-to-guy on the teams number one power play. His ability to skate and deft touch around the net make him one of the most exciting players to watch every time he touches the puck.
Let the battle begin. Adam Brown spent his rookie season in a backup capacity, but my general impression is 'starter' is on his mind heading into this years training camp. With a late birthday, the 2009-2010 season is Brown's draft year and earning a starting role with the Rockets at 18 is his ultimate goal. Brown will attempt to do something that no Rockets goaltender has accomplished since my time behind the microphone in Kelowna. No goaltender, 18 or younger, has ever earned the starting goaltending duties while wearing a Rockets uniform. That may all change this fall if Brown has anything to say about it.

Monday, August 10, 2009

St. Denis/Bloodoff Receive NHL Tryouts

Kyle St. Denis has been given a free agent tryout with the Dallas Stars while Lucas Bloodoff will attend the training camp of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Rockets will have nine players attending NHL training camps this fall.

Tyson Barrie - Colorado

Mitchell Callahan- Detroit

Tyler Myers - Buffalo

Colin Long - Phoenix

Brandon McMillan - Anaheim

Evan Bloodoff - Phoenix

Collin Bowman - Ottawa

Rockets Schedule Revealed

  • The Kelowna Rockets 2009-2010 regular season schedule was officially released today. As previously mentioned the Rockets open the season September 17th at home against the Vancouver Giants. The Rockets will raise the Western Conference championship and WHL championship banners at that time.
  • While the season begins September 17th, it ends March 13th at home to Prince George.
  • Seven of the Rockets first 11 games are on home ice.
  • Thirteen of the Rockets first 20 games are at home.
  • The Rockets play Chilliwack, Kamloops, Prince George and Vancouver eight times each this season.
  • The Rockets Eastern Conference road trip prior to Christmas kicks off with a game in Swift Current December 8th. The Rockets also make stops in Brandon, Moose Jaw, Regina, Prince Albert and Saskatoon. The six game road trip - the longest road trip of the season - will be played in eight nights.
  • The Rockets have a 10 day Christmas break.
  • February is arguably the Rockets toughest month. The team will play 12 games in 24 nights with eight of those twelve on the road. It can be argued that January is even tougher. While the team doesn't play ever night, they see action in 14 games in 29 night's.
  • Rockets home games will be played on one of three nights. Friday, Saturday and Wednesday night games are the common theme, with the exception being Thursday September 17th's home opener and a game against the Tri City Americans on Tuesday October 13th.
  • The Rockets play three games in three night's only three times this season. Late October, mid November and late January see the team on the ice on three consecutive nights.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Comeau Signs Extension

The Islanders announced that they have agreed to terms with Blake Comeau to a two-year contract.
Comeau was originally selected by the Islanders at the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft in the second round (47th overall).
After starting last season with the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Comeau returned to the Islanders, producing his best year yet with seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 53 games. Over the past two seasons, Comeau has played in a total of 104 games with the Islanders, collecting 40 points (15 goals and 25 assists).