Detroit Red Wings goaltender Eric Comrie was disappointed at first to find out that he wouldn't be wearing his old number.
Acquired from the Arizona Coyotes after being claimed off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets at the start of the season, Comrie got the start against his former team on Tuesday night in The Peg after coming in relief on December 7th.
Wearing No. 34, which was once donned by Petr Mrazek and Manny Legace, Comrie wanted to wear No. 1, but quickly realized that the number hangs in the rafters of Little Caesars Arena. In 1994, the Wings retired Terry Sawchuk's No. 1 at Joe Louis Arena, a year before Comrie was born.
"My first thought was, ugh, I don't get my number!" Comrie explained to Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun.
"I lose my number! But that's kind of cool, it's in the rafters. Terry Sawchuk, arguably one of the greatest goalies of all time."
A dual citizen, Comrie spent time in Edmonton, but grew up idolizing rival goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who wore No. 34 during his time with the Flames.
When Comrie found out that he'd be getting Kipper's number, he was instantly stoked..
"Honestly, it's the number they offered me," he said. "And you know what? I kind of liked Miikka Kiprusoff growing up too, even though I'm an Edmonton guy.
"That's kind of controversial, sorry guys!"
Don't tell your Oilers buddies that one.
But hey, it's still cool to wear a historic jersey like the Red Wings, right?
"Steve Yzerman calling you, that’s pretty cool as well.”
