Mike Komisarek

Mike Komisarek
Born	(1982-01-19) January 19, 1982 West Islip, NY, USA
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	243 lb (110 kg; 17 st 5 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Toronto Maple Leafs Montreal Canadiens
National team	Vereinigte Staaten
NHL draft	7th overall, 2001 Montreal Canadiens
Playing 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).

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. 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. 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.

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. 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." Komisarek also has a sister named Joanne, who is two years younger than he is. His sister is a graduate of Boston College. He also speaks Polish.

Komisarek's mother, Kathy, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2005 and died in November 2005. She was 51.

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	Vereinigte Staaten	WJC18	6	0	0	0	12
2001	Vereinigte Staaten	WJC	7	0	0	0	0
2002	Vereinigte Staaten	WJC	7	0	2	2	14
2006	Vereinigte Staaten	WCh	7	0	1	1	4

External links

• Mike Komisarek biography at Legends of Hockey (archived)
• Mike Komisarek career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Mike Komisarek player profile at TSN.ca