Prior to departing for a two week, eight game road trip we had a chance to catch up with forward Chase De Leo and goalie Eric Comrie who will be playing in California for the first time as professionals. De Leo was born and raised in La Mirada, California (near L.A.) while Comrie was born in Edmonton but was raised in Newport Beach, California since the age of nine.
Photo Credit: KJ Rocan
Eric Comrie has become the top goalie for the Moose since the promotion of Connor Hellebuyck to the Jets and has been really good since assuming the mantle earning praise from head coach Keith McCambridge. In 26 games with Manitoba he has gone 9-13-4 with a .912 saves % and a 2.86 GAA on a Moose team that hasn’t exactly blown the socks off the competition. (Consider that Hellebuyck, who already has a full professional season under his belt, went 2-7-1 with these same Moose including a .927 save % and a 2.41 GAA).
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Chase De Leo was drafted by the Jets 99th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He too has earned high praise from head coach Keith McCambridge on his play in his rookie season. In 37 games with Manitoba he has 11 goals and 9 assists which currently ranks him second overall on the Moose for points.
Both players spoke about what it will mean to play in front of friends and family in California as well as the special friendship they have had for the last decade. They will finally get that chance on Wednesday night in Ontario, California against the Reign.
Audio:
Chase De Leo
Eric Comrie
