Throwback Thursday: This week in 2003, Edmonton Oilers trade Mike Comrie to the Philadelphia Flyers

This week in 2003 (Dec. 16), the Edmonton Oilers traded Mike Comrie to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Comrie, who was drafted by the Oilers in the 3rd round of the 1999 draft, played only three years with the Oilers before he was traded.

He totalled 61 goals and 133 points in 192 over that time, but contract issues led to his eventual demise. He held out in a contract dispute and the Oilers reportedly had a deal in place to trade Comrie to the Anaheim Ducks for Corey Perry and a 1st, but in order for it to happen Comrie was to reimburse the Oilers $2.5-million as part of the bonus money he earned in his entry level deal.

The deal fell through, and days later the Oilers shipped him to the Flyers for Jeff Woywitka, a first round pick in 2004 used to take Rob Schremp, and a 3rd round pick in 2005 used to take Danny Syvert.

Comrie returned to the Oilers in 2008 for one season.

Upon his return at 29 years old, Comrie had spent time within the Flyers, Coyotes, Senators, and Islanders organizations. While he only came back and played one year with the Oilers, he scored 13 goals and 21 points in 43 games during that 2009-10 season.

His first game back in Edmonton was one to remember. In a pre-season 4-0 win against the Panthers, Comrie assisted on all four goals and dropped the mitts with Eric Himelfarb. In that, he received a standing ovation and a Comrie chant from the fans at Rexall Place as he went to the box.

Comrie, however, contracted mononucleosis in November and put a damper on his year. He left as a UFA and played the next year with the Penguins, his last in the NHL.

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