Sit Down with Schutz: Erick Comstock
Erick Comstock is from Minnesota and had skating genes on his side. Comstock credits his introduction to hockey to his parents, with his dad playing hockey and his mom being a figure skater. He went on open ice as a kid and fell in love with the sport. Comstock recalled that a specific player inspired him in his youth. He said, “There was this guy who would skate with me after practice, and he played at the University of Minnesota. I was really inspired by him.”
Before making his debut as a Shamrock, Comstock spent time in the USHL playing for the Chicago Steel. In his stint there, he learned some valuable lessons about the game. Comstock said, “Just more thinking in my game. I want to get to a higher level, you have to think it instead of just physically play it. So yeah, I learned a lot of stuff about think the game in order to be on ice.”
This season, Comstock has been a team leader in assists. His playmaking has helped many of his teammates capitalize on his setups. Comstock said, “Last year we were not great, kind of developed a more defensive game. And then, this year, trying to get back to making plays.” He goes on to explain why being a two-way defenseman is so essential to teams. “I mean, if you look at the NHL, that’s pretty much every guy, a two-way defenseman. They’re great in the D-zone and O-zone.”
Throughout the year, Comstock’s role has been valuable, but has evolved from the start. Comstock said, “I was just trying to feel it out there at the start, a little bit. I got into the role of being on the power, making, and trying to make plays in the zone, and trying to keep doing that.”
On top of on-ice play, Comstock was named an alternate captain, along with three other members of the defensive core. Comstock said, “We got some older guys back there that have been in junior quite a while, so it’s good to have older guys come back there. There are a lot of guys on the team that could have gotten that.”
Comstock is committed to playing Division I hockey at Augustana University next season, with other players around the NAHL. Comstock described the NAHL as providing a great opportunity to have college scouts see your game, and he is excited to go. When asked what he was most excited for, Comstock said, “Just playing college hockey, and trying to win a NCAA championship.”
Finally, Comstock answered what Watertown meant to him. He said, “It means the world. Coming here, I didn’t know what to do. And now, it’s great. It’s an awesome environment to play in and be a part of .”
Thank you, Erick, for sitting down with me!