Comrie dates pop star Hilary Duff
Former Oiler and his new girlfriend cause a snippy sensation on Internet celebrity blog
Sandra Sperounes, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Friday, July 27
EDMONTON - Former Oilers forward Mike Comrie is lighting up the Internet -- thanks to his new girlfriend, teen pop star Hilary Duff.
The Edmonton native, 26, and the 19-year-old singer/actress were snapped leaving a restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif. on Wednesday evening.
The photograph and news of their relationship were posted on the notorious celebrity blog site TMZ.com. "The Canadian pucker comes with quite a wad of cash -- as heir to the Brick Warehouse fortune. Score!" reads the blog.
"Sources tell us that the twosome have been hot and heavy since a wet weekend of jet skiing in Idaho."
The news comes less than a week before Duff's Wednesday concert in Comrie's old haunt , Rexall Place, her third show here in three years.
Local fans clearly love the former star of TV's Lizzie McGuire, but they're not as smitten with her boyfriend. They repeatedly boo Comrie every time he returns to Rexall to play against the Oilers.
Readers of TMZ.com aren't fond of the NHL player, either.
Comments posted on the site ranged from nasty to potentially libellous tidbits about his love life to inciting an idiotic war of words between Canadians and Americans.
"Mike Comrie is a loser -- same thing as (oil heir) Brandon Davis just with a bit of hockey talent. Too bad he is a bobble head midget who is hated by his hometown," wrote a reader named Nic.
"It might just be me, but I don't think that guy is attractive at all. It might be the picture but he looks like he had a HUGE head," posted Serene.
"All you people from Edmonton are complete losers!!!" wrote Jammer.
"I've been to that armpit of a city, and it sucks!!! Who could blame a young, single, talented hockey player, like Mike Comrie, for leaving that terrible city!!!"
Comrie was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2003. Last season, he played for the Phoenix Coyotes and was traded to the Ottawa Senators in January. He had four goals and two assists during their Stanley Cup run.
He recently signed a deal with the New York Islanders.
I know Mike and his family, he's a super nice guy, he got screwed around by the Edmonton Oilers, this city hates him because they think that he left Edmonton to play for more money...a lot of people in Edmonton are stupid and closed minded, they believe everything they read in the papers. I know, I live there. Hilary would be really lucky if she lands him, she would never ever have to fly commercial ever again! Can't wait to meet her! (If they last, that is.)