Eric Comrie Has Stepped Up for the Winnipeg Jets This Season

There was some concern regarding the Winnipeg Jets‘ backup goaltending during the offseason. Laurent Brossoit was rewarded for his fantastic play and signed a great contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. Therefore, the Jets needed to find a new backup goaltender.

Because Connor Hellebuyck is usually among the league leaders in games played and the Jets had limited cap space, the Jets signed Eric Comrie to a one-year deal.

Before the season began, Winnipeg supporters were already familiar with the twenty-six-year-old netminder. Comrie was originally drafted by the Jets in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but never could solidify himself as Winnipeg’s backup.

In his first three seasons with the Jets, Comrie played a total of five games. In 2019, the Arizona Coyotes claimed him off waivers, but then just two months later, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Comrie was then placed on waivers and the Jets reclaimed him.

During the 2021 season, the Jets placed Comrie on waivers again and the Devils picked him up. He then played in two games for New Jersey, was placed on waivers again, and rejoined with the Jets franchise, finishing the season with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL.

Eric Comrie has stepped up in a big way for the Winnipeg Jets so far this season

Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets coaching staff decided to give the inexperienced Comrie a chance this season and he has performed extremely well.

Comrie has appeared in seven games this season and has started six of those games. He has posted a 3-2-1 record with a 2.53 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.

His biggest contribution came when Hellebuyck missed time due to joining the COVID-protocol. Comrie started three straight games for the Jets at the start of November and won two out of three of those contests including winning a shootout against the Dallas Stars.

Although Comrie has only started six games this year, he has played well during those games and has given the Jets a great opportunity to win each time out. In two of his three losses, the Jets lost that contest by a goal.

As of right now, the decision to name Comrie as the Jets’ backup has paid off and the Jets will need Comrie to come up big for the rest of the 2021-2022 season. It is worth noting that Comrie is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of this season.

Winnipeg Jets Fans: What do you think of Eric Comrie’s performances this season? Leave your comments below!