Mike Komisarek Michael Komisarek ( born January 19 , 1982 ) is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who spent his career with the Montreal Canadiens , Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL . Playing career . Amateur . Komisarek began playing competitively on Long Island , New York , starting off in the Suffolk PAL organization . He played two years of Varsity hockey at St . Anthony ' s High School . He then played for the New England Jr . Coyotes of the Eastern Junior Hockey League ( EJHL ) under legendary coach Gary Dineen . He was then picked up by USA Hockey ' s National Team Development Program . He is a student of the respected Lithuanian hockey coach Aleksey Nikiforov . College . Komisarek played two seasons at the University of Michigan , piling up 46 points and 145 penalty minutes in 80 games . He helped the Wolverines to a 55 - 24 - 10 mark , a CCHA title and two trips to the NCAA Frozen Four . One of his teammates was fellow Long Islander Eric Nystrom , who was drafted by the Calgary Flames . Professional . After two seasons with the University of Michigan , Komisarek was selected seventh overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens . He played his first NHL game in the 2002 – 03 season with the Canadiens . He re - signed with the Canadiens in 2007 for a 2 - year contract for 3 . 5 million dollars , along with his friend Christopher Higgins , who is also from Long Island . Komisarek scored his first NHL goal , vs the Washington Capitals on March 20 , 2006 , where he was named the first star of the game . His willingness to stand up for his teammates and his hard - hitting style made him a fan favourite in the Bell Centre . In the 2006 - 07 regular season , Komisarek tied Mike Commodore of the Calgary Flames for most shorthanded goals scored among defensemen , with 2 . During the 2007 - 08 season , Komisarek led the league with 227 blocked shots and finished second in hits with 266 having played only 75 games . On January 5 , 2009 played in the 57th NHL All - Star Game and was named a starter as voted by the fans alongside his defense partner Andrei Markov . In July 2009 , Komisarek signed a 5 - year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs , averaging $ 4 . 5 million per season . On January 2 , 2010 , Komisarek injured his shoulder in a game against the Calgary Flames , and on February 3 , 2010 , it was revealed he would require season - ending surgery . This also meant Komisarek would miss the 2010 Winter Olympics , as he was chosen to represent Team USA . On March 20 , 2013 Komisarek was placed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs . On March 21 , 2013 , he cleared waivers and with his permission he was assigned to the Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate , the Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the 2012 – 13 season . With one year left on his contract with the Maple Leafs , Komisarek was released as a free agent after his contract was used in a compliance buy - out on July 2 , 2013 . On July 5 , 2013 , he signed as a free agent to a one - year deal worth $ 700 , 000 with the Carolina Hurricanes . In September 2014 , Komisarek was signed to a Professional Tryout Contract by the New Jersey Devils , but was released from it shortly after . Personal life . Komisarek is of Polish descent . His father , Roman Komisarek , was 24 when he moved to the U . S . , where he eventually opened an auto - body repair shop on Long Island . Roman Komisarek left his wife Kathy behind in Poland until he could earn enough to afford an apartment and support her . Speaking of his parents ' move to the U . S . , Komisarek stated that , " At that time , my parents knew they wanted to start a family and give me and my sister a better opportunity . [ . . . ] ( My father ) moved to Brooklyn , found a job and didn ' t know the language at all . He just had the clothes on his back . Now , we have a nice home on Long Island , and my parents provided everything we ever needed . I always carried that with me . I always wanted to make them proud . " Komisarek also has a sister named Joanne , who is two years younger than he is . His sister is a graduate of Boston College . He also speaks Polish . Komisarek ' s mother , Kathy , was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2005 and died in November 2005 . She was 51 . In 2014 , Komisarek announced that he would be resuming studies at the University of Michigan through the athletic department ' s Degree Completion Program . On January 9 , 2015 Michigan Wolverines head coach Red Berenson announced that Komisarek would join the coaching staff as an undergraduate student assistant .