Mike Commodore, Uber Driver

[MissTeeks]

http://www.tsn.ca/commodore-takes-sh...river-1.591350

Mike Commodore has been known as many things to many people.
The guy with the big, red Afro who would shave his head for charity; the guy who wore the white bathrobe; a Stanley Cup champion; the guy who played 484 career regular-season games for seven teams over 12 years; the guy with a pathological dislike for Mike Babcock; and the guy, at times, with a funny Twitter account that popularized the hockey catchphrase #PackYourS---.
Now you can add one more: Uber driver.
The soon to be 37-year-old retired defenceman who lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., tweeted last week he had signed up to be an Uber driver. Last Friday night, from 6 to 11 p.m., he was driving people around the Valley of the Sun region in his hybrid Cadillac Escalade.
For that, he got $94 plus $5 in tips and a lot of a good conversation, as well as some entertaining tweets on Twitter.
"I'm single, I've got no kids, I was just looking for something to get me out of the house and keep me out of the bars," Commodore said earlier Monday while on his way to play golf. "I don't really do too much except play golf or go to the bar, so I figured this would be a good social thing for me.
"I don't mind driving. I like to meet people and I like to talk to people. I'll definitely do it again, one night a weekend or maybe even during the week."

But he also quickly realized how small the world is and how that can make for interesting conversation, which is what he was after in the first place.
One of his fares were two guys and a girl from Columbus, where Commodore played 157 games over three seasons before being bought out of his five-year, $18.75-million contract.
"I asked them where they're from and they say, 'Columbus,' and I say, 'I used to live in Columbus.' They asked me what I did and I told them I played hockey. They say, 'For who?' I say, 'The Blue Jackets.' They thought I was full of s--- and asked me what years, so I told them.
"They say, 'So you know Rick Nash then?' I say, 'Yeah, Rick is a good friend.' They say, 'What about Jared Boll?' I say, 'Yeah, I know Jared...I can do the whole roster if you like. Why don't you just look me up?'"
And that they did.
Later that evening, Commodore was driving six teenage girls to a function when one of them asked where he was from. He told them he was Canadian. They asked if he played hockey.
"As a matter of fact I did," he told them.

One of the girls asked Commodore if he'd ever heard of her uncle, Doug Weight.
"I told her not only do I know Dougie but I played with him [in Carolina]," he said. "They didn't believe me at first and I told her to call Dougie, which she did, but he didn't pick up. I think the Islanders were playing Friday night."
They were, actually, against the Arizona Coyotes in Brooklyn, as fate would have it.
"It was fun," Commodore said. "I enjoyed it. It's nice to meet people and talk to them in a different way."

[DionTheDman]

I will always like the guy. He was a big part of the 04 run. After the Flames landed back in Calgary after losing to Tampa, he stuck around at the airport to sign autographs.

[dino7c]

hilarious

[TheScorpion]

Finally, a good thread.

[Jacks]

I always liked Commodore, wish he would stop defending Raffi Torres though.

[Iniggywetrust]

Guys twitter account is hilarious.

[Delthefunky]

He also played in Japan didn't he? I thought someone here posted a link to a blog he was doing from Japan.

[flamesfever]

I think dropping Commodore, Conroy, Nieminen and Lydman by Sutter after the 04 run completely changed the team culture, and was probably responsible for us losing the potential to repeat our challenge for the SC.

[devo22]

the thing that really struck me is this:

"I'm single, I've got no kids, I was just looking for something to get me out of the house and keep me out of the bars," Commodore said earlier Monday while on his way to play golf. "I don't really do too much except play golf or go to the bar, so I figured this would be a good social thing for me.

I imagine life can get pretty dull when you're an athlete for ~20 years and suddenly it's all over. Most probably have a great family system to rely upon, but I'm sure this adjustment to post-hockey can be a big shock to some of those guys.

[icarus]

If he's that bored, someone should get him to join CalgaryPuck!

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I think dropping Commodore, Conroy, Nieminen and Lydman by Sutter after the 04 run completely changed the team culture, and was probably responsible for us losing the potential to repeat our challenge for the SC.

It was an interesting dynamic, a brutally punishing team to play against with how heavy they were hitting.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Guess he needed a change after being a passenger in his hockey career.













Thanks, I'll be here all week. Remember to tip your waitress.

[jonesy]

That was mean spirited

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I think dropping Commodore, Conroy, Nieminen and Lydman by Sutter after the 04 run completely changed the team culture, and was probably responsible for us losing the potential to repeat our challenge for the SC.

Lydman didn't play until Game2 of the finals and was far from vital to that run.

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Lydman didn't play until Game2 of the finals and was far from vital to that run.

True. That being said, he was an excellent blueliner, who went on to two consecutive conference finals with Sabres in the next two seasons. Was leading sabres in time on ice in one of those runs. Losing him was a blow.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Pointman

True. That being said, he was an excellent blueliner, who went on to two consecutive conference finals with Sabres in the next two seasons. Was leading sabres in time on ice in one of those runs. Losing him was a blow.

Yeah, Sutter really underestimated the defensemen he gave away during that period. In retrospect, he should have kept Lydman, Commodore, Ferrence etc and moved Dion when his value was sky high for the center the Flames desperately needed.

[Locke]

Thats brilliant! Way to go Commie.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by DionTheDman

I will always like the guy. He was a big part of the 04 run. After the Flames landed back in Calgary after losing to Tampa, he stuck around at the airport to sign autographs.

That was great! As I was leaving, I heard someone tell "let's take Mike Commodore out for breakfast!". I always wondered if they did.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Pointman

True. That being said, he was an excellent blueliner, who went on to two consecutive conference finals with Sabres in the next two seasons. Was leading sabres in time on ice in one of those runs. Losing him was a blow.

Didn't Sutter insinuate something about Lydman like he wasn't as hurt as he said he was (which is why he traded him)

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by Iniggywetrust

Guys twitter account is hilarious.

He goes off on Babcock sometimes. He really hates Babcock.