There was Sonny and Cher, Jessica and Nick, Brad and Jennifer ... but the biggest, most venomous, out-of-control break-up in Edmonton and in sports was the one that occurred between the Oilers and Mike Comrie.
Unlike the previous three, Comrie and the Oilers kissed and made up to the point where on Thursday the centreman inked a one-year deal with the team. Now I was here and covering the team when this all happened and I would have put better odds on K.D. Lang going out with a man than Mike Comrie ever wearing an Oilers jersey again.
Unbelievable -- and you can thank a bunch of people -- but you would have to start with Mike and Kevin Lowe. I know Comrie has often been called a "spoiled rich kid" but if that was ever the case that was then, this is now. The last couple of times he has spoken, Comrie has taken ownership for his part of the fallout. A heartfelt regret at the way things ended and a clear sense he wanted another chance.
Then there's Lowe, who six years ago was on the other side of what turned into a very public contract dispute. It could have been 66 years ago and the Oilers president of hockey operations could have simply said, "Screw it." But he didn't. Instead, like the Godfather, he gave it his blessing. Otherwise, this could never have happened.
Throw in the fact Mike is a hometown boy who grew up idolizing the Oilers, and his father Bill, the brains and brawn behind "The Brick," heads up one the city's most famous and charitable families.
This is good news all around. In fact, great news. And that's before Comrie has even scored a goal, because the local boy has another chance to make good.
