For two of Michigan’s most heralded hockey players, it’s a waiting game.
- Paul Wong
- Michigan senior forward Mike Cammalleri is still planning to return for his final season with the Wolverines.
TOM FELDKAMP/Daily
Senior forward Mike Cammalleri and junior defenseman Mike Komisarek have yet to decide whether they will remain in school or leave to enter the National Hockey League.
But the West All-American first teamers are still Michigan men – for now.
“My plans haven’t changed as of yet, but I’ve obviously got a decision to make. As of now, I’m still playing for Michigan and nothing’s changed,” Cammalleri said.
According to his mother Ruth, Cammalleri, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of last year’s NHL Entry Draft, is still intending to return for his senior season.
“Michael left the Canadian hockey league because he wanted to go to school,” she said. “I think he wants to finish up his years.”
Cammalleri led the Wolverines in goals and was second on the team in points despite missing several games to compete for Team Canada in the World Junior Championship and 10 more games when he contracted mononucleosis. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native would have been ranked in the top five in the nation in both goals and points per game if he had qualified. At the World Junior Championships in December, Cammalleri led the tournament with 11 goals in seven games and was named the tournament’s Top Forward.
Komisarek is expected to make a decision after spring term when he returns home to Islip Terrace, N.Y. The Montreal Canadiens picked the defenseman seventh overall in last year’s draft, making him the first North American collegiate player to be selected.
Komisarek did not comment on his upcoming decision, but his mother, Cathy, said that it is up to him on whether to go pro.
“We can advise him,” she said.
“But he has to decide.”
The All-CCHA first-teamer would lead the defense next season if he decided to return because 17-year-old freshman Al Montoya is expected to start in goal. Like Cammalleri, Montoya fast-tracked through high school in three years to come play for Michigan. Having Komisarek in the lineup would help the Wolverines keep the puck away from Montoya’s side of the ice as he acclimates to the college game.
But the Komisareks are ready to support Mike in whatever decision he makes.
“We are going to support him anyway,” she said. “If he’s going to make the decision to stay in school, we’re going to support him. If he’s going to make the decision to go to Montreal, we’re going to support that to.”
Neither the Kings nor Canadiens would comment on the situation because they did not want to affect the players’ college eligibility.
– Daily Sports Editor J. Brady McCollough contributed to this report.