Comley Expands Role With USHL Player Development

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced that Rick Comley, Jr. has joined USHL Player Development in a full-time capacity in the role of Director of Scouting. He was USHL Player Development Coordinator during the 2009-10 season, while also continuing to serve as assistant coach for the Sioux City Musketeers.

"Rick is a true professional in every sense of the word," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "It's been my pleasure to get to know him as we reorganized our player development and scouting efforts under the USHL Player Development umbrella this past year. We're lucky to have someone with his combination of talent and hard work – and scouting at this level takes both. Our thanks as well to the Sioux City Musketeers organization for their graciousness and assistance, both last year and during Rick's transition to this crucial new role for the USHL."

Comley was instrumental in launching last season's USHL Player Development initiative to help identify and evaluate prospects of the USHL. As the League's top scout, he attended tournaments and events to evaluate young talent throughout the U.S., while also educating both players and parents about the opportunities available in the USHL. Comley also helped conduct the USHL Prospect Combines this spring, a first of its kind player showcase of on-ice competition and off-ice testing for the League's future stars.

Comley also served as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Musketeers in each of the past two seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10). His USHL experience began in 2004-05 as a scout for the Waterloo Black Hawks. Comley scouted for the Des Moines Buccaneers the following season (2005-06), when the Bucs won the Clark Cup title. He then moved behind the bench in Des Moines to become an assistant coach for two seasons (2006-07 and 2007-08).

"Rick has been a tremendous asset to the Musketeers' organization both as a person and professional," said Luke Strand, Sioux City Musketeers Head Coach and General Manager "Rick's passion and abilities for scouting and recruiting has afforded him this position with the USHL. We are very blessed to have had Rick on board with us and we wish him nothing but the best for his bright future."

Comley is a graduate of Michigan State University where he holds a bachelor's degree in history and earned a master's degree in sports administration. The native of Marquette, Michigan is a part of strong hockey bloodlines, as he is the son of Michigan State University men's hockey coach Rick Comley, Sr.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)