PHILADELPHIA – Mike Comrie says there is a sense of relief knowing he is finally under contract for the season.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed the 23-year-old former Edmonton Oiler to a one-year deal Friday just hours before the NHL holiday roster freeze. His rights had been acquired Tuesday in exchange for Flyers defensive prospect Jeff Woywitka and two draft picks.

“I’m real excited that Bobby Clarke traded for my rights and then got this deal done,” Comrie said Saturday morning from his home in Edmonton.

“I’m glad we got it done before the roster freeze went into effect. A couple days ago, I wasn’t sure it would happen in time.”

He might not join the Flyers until after Christmas. Comrie has to get a work visa to enter the United States, which might take three days, he said.

In all likelihood, he will join the team for its five-game post-Christmas road trip that begins in Colorado on Saturday, said Clarke, the Flyers’ general manager.

“If he joins us in Colorado, he should play immediately,” coach Ken Hitchcock said.

Comrie’s deal is $1.45 million prorated for the remainder of the season. His agent, Rich Winter, had sought $1.75 million.

Hitchcock said Saturday that he had spoken with people in Edmonton and was assured Comrie was in excellent condition. Hitchcock doesn’t plan to play Comrie a lot of minutes initially as he works him into the lineup.

“We’ll see if Hitch can make a checker out of him,” Clarke joked, repeating the same line he said about Sami Kapanen, when he joined the Flyers last winter. Hitchcock did just that, turning a scorer into a terrific checker. Hitchcock doesn’t plan to do that with Comrie.

Comrie spent part of Friday afternoon on the phone with Justin Williams, who played on his line at the World Championships two years ago.

“This is a new challenge for me,” Comrie said. “Justin was explaining to me how I can help this team and what the entire makeup of the club is and what they have here. Obviously, it’s not up to a player who he plays with, but it would be fun with him. They just have so much talent and depth, you don’t know where you fit in.”

The Oilers assigned Woywitka to their AHL club, the Toronto Roadrunners. He has already played one game for them.

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AP-NY-12-20-03 2043EST