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Mike Commodore finds retirement fun in Uber driving

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 17: Mike Commodore #23 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stretches during pre-game skate against the St. Louis Blues at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 17, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
Mike Commodore of the Tampa Bay Lightning stretches during pre-game skate against the St. Louis Blues at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 17, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (Getty Images)

Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore decided to drive an Uber one night last week to give him something to do.

On Oct. 19, Commodore, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, tweeted he had joined Uber and was recently interviewed by TSN’s Bob McKenzie about the experience. Commodore officially took to the road last Friday.

“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 to McKenzie. “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.”

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Added Commodore, “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.”

According to McKenzie’s story, Commodore drove his hybrid Cadillac Escalade Uber last Friday from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. During that time, Commodore tweeted out some of the experience. This included giving a ride to the niece of former Carolina Hurricanes teammate 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.”

He also encountered some Columbus Blue Jackets who couldn’t believe that they had a former player for their team giving them a ride.

“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,” Commodore was quoted in the piece.”

The 36-year-old Commodore is a veteran of 484 NHL games and made around $20 million of earnings. He pointed out to McKenzie that he’s not doing this for the money, though he ended up making $94 plus $5 in tips.

“One of the guys I drove gave me a single [dollar] as a tip and I told him, ‘Hey, buddy, you keep it. You need it more than me,’” he said.

Commodore hasn’t played in the NHL since 2011-12 with the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning. He last played pro hockey in the KHL in 2013-14. Commodore was one of the more colorful personalities in the NHL and was fondly remembered for his big, red Afro with the Hurricanes on their 2006 Stanley Cup run.

RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 14: Mike Commodore #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up before game five of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on June 14, 2006 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Mike Commodore of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up before game five of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on June 14, 2006 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Getty Images)

He’s also known as one of the more outspoken former players around the NHL. In a 2013 interview, Commodore ripped Scott Arniel, who was his coach with Columbus. In the same story he voiced his displeasure with Mike Babcock, who coached Commodore with the Red Wings. Last season, Commodore went after Babcock again, this time in an angry Twitter tirade.

The lives of retired NHLers have become a hot topic of late. Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Daniel Carcillo has shed more light on the subject with a few pieces on Players’ Tribune. Recently it was announced the NHL and NHLPA launched a program to help players prepare for the future.

Good for Commodore to find something positive to occupy his time, at least for one night, during this stage of his post playing days and be OK with talking (and tweeting) about it.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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