Mike Commodore

Last updated

Mike Commodore
Mike Commodore Red Wings.png
Commodore with the Detroit Red Wings in 2012
Born (1979-11-07) November 7, 1979 (age 44)
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 227 lb (103 kg; 16 st 3 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for New Jersey Devils
Calgary Flames
Carolina Hurricanes
Ottawa Senators
Columbus Blue Jackets
Detroit Red Wings
Tampa Bay Lightning
Admiral Vladivostok
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL draft 42nd overall, 1999
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2000–2014

Michael W. Commodore (born November 7, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Commodore played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). In 2006, he won the Stanley Cup as part of the Carolina Hurricanes. Commodore was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round (42nd overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Playing career

Commodore played his collegiate years at the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, playing three years and winning the NCAA Championship in 2000. He was drafted 42nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks and then to the Calgary Flames, [1] [2] playing in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. Calgary's depth on the blue line left no place for Commodore in the regular lineup, and he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the start of the 2005–06 NHL season. [3] Commodore and the Hurricanes ended up becoming NHL champions at the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

Mike Commodore of the Calgary Flames skates in a pre-game warm-up during the 2003-04 season Mike Commodore.jpg
Mike Commodore of the Calgary Flames skates in a pre-game warm-up during the 2003-04 season

During both final runs, Commodore became noted for his red playoff beard and afro hair. [4] As the Hurricanes were received at the White House in 2006, president George W. Bush joked that "I'm not sure what is prettier, the Stanley Cup, or Mike Commodore's hair." [5] Both times Commodore followed the finals having his hair shaved for organizations which helped the Jimmy V Foundation cancer research. The first time he had his hair shaved was at his mother's former school, Fort High. [6] The second time, Commodore held ten eBay auctions for the highest bidders which would allow them to have a chance to shave his head and keep his hair. [7] During the 2006 playoffs, Commodore also had fans copying a bathrobe he wore before the pre-game skate. [8] [9]

Along with Rhett Warrener, he played a role in Paul Brandt's music video, "Convoy", as a truck driver.

In the 2006-07 regular season, Commodore tied Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens for most shorthanded goals scored among defensemen, with two. [10]

He was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team that won gold in a 4–2 win against Finland in Moscow.

Commodore with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010. Mike Commodore 2010.jpg
Commodore with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010.

On February 11, 2008, Commodore was dealt to the Ottawa Senators along with Cory Stillman from Carolina for Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves. [11]

Commodore was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 1, 2008 to a five-year contract worth $18.75 million. He scored five goals as well as adding 19 assists during his first season in Columbus that saw the Blue Jackets appear in their first ever Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings, which Detroit won in a 4-0 sweep. Commodore recorded 18 penalty minutes during the series.

Commodore cleared waivers on January 17, 2011, and was assigned to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL.

The Detroit Red Wings signed Commodore to a one-year contract worth $1 million on July 1, 2011. [12] After signing, Commodore was offered to pick his own jersey number, which incited several Internet petitions to suggest the number 64, in reference to the Commodore 64. The idea was supported by both the team and Commodore himself, but he decided against it. [13] [14]

On February 27, 2012, Commodore was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a conditional seventh-round draft pick after playing only 17 games for Detroit. [15]

With the 2012 NHL lockout affecting his free agent status, Commodore was signed to a professional try-out contract midway into the 2012–13 season on November 20, 2012. [16] He was released on January 23, 2013. [17]

Commodore played in the Kontinental Hockey League during the 2013–14 season.

Personal

Commodore has a brother, Matt, who also briefly played junior hockey with the Alberta Junior Hockey League Fort Saskatchewan Traders during the 2000-01 season. Politically, Commodore opposes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. [18] [19] In particular, Commodore has been critical of Trudeau's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and Trudeau's economic policy. [20] [21]

As of 2017, Commodore occasionally worked as an Uber driver. [22]

Feud with Mike Babcock

Commodore has been very open over his disapproval of former Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim head coach Mike Babcock. Commodore has stated he was "screwed over" by Babcock while with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL, claiming Babcock refused to play him in favour of new addition Kurt Sauer. [23] The relationship worsened nine years later, after Commodore signed with the Red Wings, who Babcock was coaching. Commodore states this signing is what ended his career in the NHL. [23] Commodore claimed that Babcock misled him by telling him he was wanted as a physical presence; Commodore remained a healthy scratch for a month and a half to start the season before playing in two games, and was then scratched again until December, only reentering the line up when, according to Commodore, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland ordered Babcock to play him. [23] Commodore would go on to say he was traded out of Detroit "because Holland felt bad [for me]", referring to his lack of playing time. [23] Commodore (along with Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios [24] ) also held against Babcock the fact that he healthy scratched Mike Modano when he had 1,499 games played. Modano retired following that season and never reached the 1,500 games played milestone. [25] Commodore frequently uses Twitter hashtag "#FuckBabs" in his tweet, a slogan he created.

Following his retirement, Commodore has lashed out at Babcock multiple times, particularly on Twitter where he constantly refers to the coach as a "piece of shit." [26] Commodore has also said he hopes Babcock "gets hit by a truck." [27]

Commodore engaged in a notable Twitter rant on November 20, 2019, expressing glee at Babcock's firing from the Maple Leafs earlier that day. [28] [22]

Babcock addressed Commodore's criticisms in an appearance on Cam Janssen's podcast in March, 2021, stating that Commodore was scratched because he did not perform better than other defenders on the 2011 team (he did not recall much interacting with Commodore in Anaheim), and refuted that Commodore was scratched because of a personal vendetta. [29] Commodore rejected this in a Tweet, saying Babcock 'said the exact opposite on the phone July 1, 2011 you piece of shit.' [30]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1996–97 Fort Saskatchewan Traders AJHL 513811244—————
1997–98 North Dakota Fighting Sioux WCHA 2905574—————
1998–99 North Dakota Fighting SiouxWCHA395813154—————
1999–00 North Dakota Fighting SiouxWCHA385712154—————
2000–01 Albany River Rats AHL 4125759—————
2000–01 New Jersey Devils NHL 2014514—————
2001–02 Albany River RatsAHL1403331—————
2001–02 New Jersey DevilsNHL3701130—————
2002–03 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL612911210—————
2002–03 Saint John Flames AHL703318—————
2002–03 Calgary Flames NHL601119—————
2003–04 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL375111675—————
2003–04 Calgary FlamesNHL12000252002219
2004–05 Lowell Lock MonstersAHL73629351751112318
2005–06 Carolina Hurricanes NHL72310131382522433
2006–07 Carolina HurricanesNHL8272229113—————
2007–08 Carolina HurricanesNHL41391274—————
2007–08 Ottawa Senators NHL260222640220
2008–09 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL8151924100400018
2009–10 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL57291162—————
2010–11 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL2024644—————
2010–11 Springfield Falcons AHL1102220—————
2011–12 Detroit Red Wings NHL1702221—————
2011–12 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL1300017—————
2012–13 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL1702226—————
2012–13 Texas Stars AHL5202410000
2013–14 Admiral Vladivostok KHL 272242041126
NHL totals48423831066835326870
Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2007 Moscow

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2007 Canada WC Gold medal icon.svg902214
Senior totals902214

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team 2000 [31]
NHL
Stanley Cup (Carolina Hurricanes) 2006

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References

  1. ↑ "Devils trade Sykora to Ducks for 3 players". New York Times . July 7, 2002. Retrieved July 7, 2002.
  2. ↑ "Trade deadline deals recapped". ESPN. March 9, 2003. Retrieved March 9, 2003.
  3. ↑ https://www.tsn.ca/story/print/?id=131826 [ dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Bad hair days: Oilers, Canes keep beard tradition alive". June 14, 2006.
  5. ↑ President Bush Welcomes Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes
  6. ↑ "Commodore to have red mop shaved in aid of cancer research". Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ "V Foundation for Cancer Research - the Canuckers". Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Carolina Hurricanes - News".
  9. ↑ [usurped]
  10. ↑ "2006-07 NHL Skater Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008.
  11. ↑ Allen, Kevin (February 11, 2008). "Sens get Michael Commodore, Stillman from 'Canes for Corvo, Eaves". USA Today . Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  12. ↑ "NHL Free Agent Tracker". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Red Wings give blessing, pledges surging". Yahoo! Sports . July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Mike Commodore 64 update: The Dream ends as Commie picks 22". Yahoo! Sports . July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  15. ↑ Yahoo! Sports Staff (February 27, 2012). "2012 NHL deadline day: Trade tracker & analysis". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  16. ↑ "AHL's Bulldogs sign Michael Commodore to try-out contract". The Sports Network. November 21, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Hamilton Bulldogs release Mike Commodore". The Hamilton Spectator . January 23, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  18. ↑ Commodore, Mike [@commie22] (September 2, 2021). "Folks…Justina Trudeau is a failed substitute drama teacher" (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2021– via Twitter.
  19. ↑ Commodore, Mike [@commie22] (July 19, 2021). "Fuck you Health Canada and fuck you Justin Trudeau. Scumbag" (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2021– via Twitter.
  20. ↑ Commodore, Mike [@commie22] (July 14, 2021). "Folks…been in Canada 4 days..what an embarrassment..border is a joke..airport is a joke, handling of COVID is a joke" (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2021– via Twitter.
  21. ↑ Commodore, Mike [@commie22] (September 20, 2021). "Folks….grab your mouth guards…get ready for the most savage recession of our lifetime. Fuck Trudeau." (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2021– via Twitter.
  22. 1 2 Warmington, Joe (November 22, 2019). "Ex-NHLer Mike Commodore targets Mike Babcock in Twitter tirade". Toronto Sun . Post Media . Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Mike Commodore rips Mike Babcock, claims Columbus coach waived him over jealousy". Yahoo Sports . December 6, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  24. ↑ WGN Morning News [@WGNMorningNews] (March 18, 2019). "Blackhawks Hall of Famer, Chris Chelios talks about the Hawks chances of a playoff run and coach Q's exit #Blackhawks https://t.co/mJqz3FDLkN" (Tweet). Retrieved September 4, 2021– via Twitter.
  25. ↑ Commodore, Mike [@commie22] (February 22, 2017). "FYI....Mike Modano played 1499 games..Babcock healthy scratched so he didn't reach 1500. #FuckBabs" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021– via Twitter.
  26. ↑ "Mike Commodore rips Mike Babcock in angry Twitter rant". Yahoo Sports . October 9, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Mike Commodore tweets he hopes Mike Babcock 'gets hit by a truck". SB Nation. October 9, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  28. ↑ Commodore, Mike [@commie22] (November 20, 2019). "Mike Commodore speaking on Mike Babcock's firing" (Tweet). Retrieved February 17, 2022– via Twitter.
  29. ↑ Janssen, Cam [@CamJanssen25] (March 9, 2021). "Mike Babcock taking about the Mike Commodore situation..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2021– via Twitter.
  30. ↑ Commodore, Mike [@commie22] (March 12, 2021). "Hahaha...thanks for clearing that up for me Babs!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2021– via Twitter.
  31. ↑ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
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