TORONTO (AP) - Mike Comrie, who twice scored at least 30 goals in a season, retired from the NHL on Monday after a third hip operation in five years.
The 31-year-old center announced his retirement two weeks after his latest hip procedure, saying in a statement he was no longer able to “manage the rigors of NHL play.” Comrie was limited to 127 games over the last three seasons.
Comrie played 589 regular-season games with Edmonton, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Ottawa, the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh. He had 168 goals and 197 assists. He had four goals and six assists in 32 career playoff games.
He finished his career last season with the Penguins. Comrie had just one goal and five assists in 21 games and was an unrestricted free agent when he retired.
“My career has afforded me a series of phenomenal opportunities to play and become friends with some of the greatest people I have ever known and some of the greatest players who have ever played this game,” Comrie said in a statement released by his agent. “To have made the lasting friendships I enjoy today with so many of my former teammates is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Comrie was born in Edmonton and started his career with the Oilers in the 2000-01 season. He went on to score 33 goals the following season.
But he was traded to Philadelphia in 2003 after a contract dispute. After a brief stint with the Flyers, Comrie was shipped to Phoenix in another trade. The Coyotes dealt Comrie to Ottawa in 2007 where he was part of the Senators team that lost the Stanley Cup final in five games to Anaheim.
Comrie signed with the Islanders the following season before Ottawa reacquired him in a trade in 2009. He rejoined Edmonton for the 2009-10 season.
Comrie, who won a gold medal for Canada at the 2002 world hockey championship, is married to singer Hilary Duff. They are expecting their first child in March.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.