Mike Commodore

Playing career

Commodore played his collegiate years at the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, playing three years and winning the NCAA Championship in 2000. He was drafted 42nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks and then to the Calgary Flames, playing in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. Calgary's depth on the blue line left no place for Commodore in the regular lineup, and he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the start of the 2005–06 NHL season. Commodore and the Hurricanes ended up becoming NHL champions at the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

During both Final runs, Commodore became noted for his red playoff beard and afro hair. As the Hurricanes were received at the White House in 2006, president George W. Bush joked that "I'm not sure what is prettier, the Stanley Cup, or Mike Commodore's hair." Both times Commodore followed the finals having his hair shaved for organizations which helped the Jimmy V Foundation cancer research. The first time he had his hair shaved was at his mother's former school, Fort High. The second time, Commodore held ten eBay auctions for the highest bidders which would allow them to have a chance to shave his head and keep his hair. During the 2006 playoffs, Commodore also had fans copying a bathrobe he wore before the pre-game skate.

Along with Rhett Warrener, he played a role in Paul Brandt's music video, "Convoy", as a truck driver.

In the 2006-07 regular season, Commodore tied Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens for most shorthanded goals scored among defensemen, with two.

He was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team that won gold in a 4–2 win against Finland in Moscow.

On February 11, 2008, Commodore was dealt to the Ottawa Senators along with Cory Stillman from Carolina for Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves.

Commodore was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 1, 2008 to a five-year contract worth $18.75 million. He scored five goals as well as adding 19 assists during his first season in Columbus that saw the Blue Jackets appear in their first ever Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings, who won in a sweep. Commodore recorded 18 penalty minutes during the series.

Commodore cleared waivers on January 17, 2011, and was assigned to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL.

The Detroit Red Wings signed Commodore to a one-year contract worth $1 million on July 1, 2011. After signing, Commodore was offered to pick his own jersey number, which incited several Internet petitions to suggest the number 64, in reference to the Commodore 64. The idea was supported by both the team and Commodore himself, but ultimately he decided against it.

On February 27, 2012, Commodore was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a conditional seventh-round draft pick after playing only 17 games for Detroit.

With the 2012 NHL lockout affecting his free agent status, Commodore was signed to a professional try-out contract midway into the 2012–13 season on November 20, 2012. He was released on January 23, 2013.

Commodore played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2013–14 season.

Personal

Commodore has a brother (Matt) who also briefly played junior hockey with the AJHL's Fort Saskatchewan Traders during the 2000-01 season.

Feud with Mike Babcock

Commodore has been very open over his disapproval of Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock. Commodore has stated he was "screwed over" by Babcock while with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL, claiming Babcock refused to play him in favour of new addition Kurt Sauer. The relationship worsened nine years later, after Commodore signed with the Red Wings, who Babcock was coaching. Commodore states this signing is what ended his career in the NHL. Commodore claimed that Babcock mislead him; Commodore would remain a healthy scratch for a month and a half to start the season before playing in two games, and was then scratched again until December, only reentering the line up when Red Wings general manager Ken Holland ordered Babcock to play him, this despite claiming Babcock told him he was wanted as a physical presence. Commodore would go on to say he was traded out of Detroit "because Holland felt bad [for me]", referring to his lack of playing time.

Following his retirement, Commodore has lashed out at Babcock multiple times, particularly on Twitter where he constantly refers to the coach as a "piece of shit". Commodore has also said he hopes Babcock "gets hit by a truck." Since Babcock left Detroit to sign with Toronto, Commodore has made a habit of Tweeting his dislike for Babcock every time the Maple Leafs play the Red Wings, and sending profanity to his defenders.

Babcock has yet to comment on Commodore's remarks or claims.