Eric Comrie the new number one for the Winnipeg Jets

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“Hellebuyck is a tough guy,” netminder Eric Comrie said after practice on Saturday morning at the Hockey For All Centre. “He tried to give everything he could, give everything he could to the city.”

Published Nov 22, 2025 • Last updated 6 minutes ago • 4 minute read

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Jets Anaheim Beckett Sennecke #45 of the Anaheim Ducks scores a goal against Eric Comrie #1 of the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Honda Center on November 09, 2025 in Anaheim. Photo by (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) /Winnipeg SunArticle content

After grinding through nearly a quarter of the season on one healthy leg, Connor Hellebuyck earned a new level of respect from the other half of the Jets netminding tandem.

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On Friday, the Jets announced that Hellebuyck will undergo a procedure on a lingering knee issue that could keep him out of the lineup until, possibly, the new year.

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“I have known for a long time,” said Eric Comrie, who now takes over the crease for the Jets, after practice on Saturday morning at the Hockey For All Centre. “Hellebuyck is a tough guy,. He tried to give everything he could. Knock on wood, he has no more (injuries). I want nothing but the best for him. He’s unbelievable.”

Just as there are no atheists in foxholes, apparently there are no secrets in a dressing room either. Thus, Comrie knew there was a chance he would be thrust into the prime position, but he wasn’t 100 per cent convinced because Hellebuyck is so committed and competitive.

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“He told me he was going to play all 82 games,” Comrie said. “But that’s Helly’s mentality. He wants to play all 82. It just goes to show how he felt he wanted to play every single game. I know it’s a big year for him, with this team, and how much success he wants to have for us, but also for the Olympics, as well.”

Hellebuyck was tabbed by many to start between the pipes for Team USA at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy come February.

If all goes well with the surgery and rehab, the all-world netminder is expected to miss four to six weeks.
In his first start as the team’s No. 1, Comrie flew headlong into minor turbulence against Carolina on Friday evening when he allowed the first shot on goal to get past him, high on the blocker side.

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“You know what? It’s going to happen again,” Comrie said about the Jordan Staal goal 16 seconds into the game. “It’s just the way things happen in this game of hockey. You never know what is going to happen.”

From there, Comrie’s performance was good enough to give his team a chance to rally in the third period. And that is probably all the Jets can ask from Comrie.

Overall, Comrie stopped 24 shots in the 4-3 defeat.

“I thought we played a great game against Carolina,” Comrie said. “We played strong against, I mean, arguably one of the best teams, if not the best team in the league. Colorado is right there with them. We played with them all night long. We could have won that game. We played very good in our own end, limiting their chances. We understand that the more chances we limit, the more opportunities we’re going to have.”

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With the one-goal loss, Comrie’s record dropped to 4-2. He owns a 2.84 goals against average and an .899 save percentage.

“Comrie has come in and had a stellar start to the year,” captain Adam Lowry said. “He’s going to come in and give us a chance to win every night. It’s important that we continue to try to improve in the areas we have: That’s defence, that’s the chances we are giving up, neutralizing the rush.

“If we can play better defensively in front, we can make Comrie’s job easier, Then we can continue to climb up the standings.”

Prior to the Friday morning news dump, Hellebuyck, who won the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player and the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the league last season, was 8-6-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in 14 games.

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“It just shows you how good he is,” Comrie said. “He can adjust his game and still play that good, considering how he was feeling (with his knee injury).”

Call-up Milic eager for first NHL start

Meanwhile, the Jets promoted Tomas Milic from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose on Friday, the third-year pro from New Westminster, B.C., assuming Comrie’s role as the backup netminder.

“With a condensed schedule, there are a lot of games in a short amount of time,” Milic said on Saturday afternoon. “So, the way it is, Eric Comrie is going to hold down the fort, but I will be ready when I get my chance, and I am just excited for it.”

Following Sunday’s home encounter with the Minnesota Wild, the Jets will go on the road for three games in four nights, starting Wednesday in Washington against the Capitals. They will then face the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday and the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

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“I don’t think Comrie can play in all those games,” head coach Scot Arniel said. “Milic is going to have to play as it gets busy when we head out on the road. I know it is different with goaltending, but at the end of the day it is next man up, it really is. We are not replacing Connor, but our group has to be good in front of Comrie and good in front of Milic, as well.”

The 22-year-old found out he was getting promoted after his 28 save performance in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves on Thursday night. Milic was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2023 entry draft. Milic played for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League.

“It was super special, right after our game, getting called into the coach’s office and hearing the news,” Milic said. “It was a shock, but I was excited and I couldn’t stop smiling. I am trying to stay grounded and enjoy every second.”

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Eric Comrie the new number one for the Winnipeg Jets

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