As the captain of the New York Islanders, Anders Lee is typically the first to congratulate his teammates when they reach a significant career milestone.
When the Islanders visit the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at PNC Arena, Lee will be the one getting the praise as he’s expected to play in his 700th career NHL game.
“It’s still mind-boggling a little bit to play hockey this long,” Lee told reporters in Carolina on Wednesday. “To be able to play this long in this league is really special. [I’m] not taking anything for granted, just enjoying it and trying to make the most of it.”
Lee was selected by the Islanders out of the University of Notre Dame in the sixth round 2009 NHL Entry Draft and made his debut five years later.
However, while growing up as a three-sport star athlete in Minnesota, there was almost a possibility of Lee never playing professional hockey to begin with.
“We always played the other sports because we could,” Lee said. “It was fun, and I enjoyed them. I loved football. It came natural, but I guess hockey was probably my one true love in sports. Although I gave it some thought, I never really thought I could give up hockey.”
Lee’s love of hockey shines through in the way he plays the game. A hard-nosed power forward, Lee doesn’t shy away from hard contact, battling hard to create traffic in front of opponents’ nets.
That style of play can wear play down over time…
“You’ve got to take care of your body,” Casey Cizikas said. “That’s what you rely on day in and day out, especially as you get older. You’re not 22, waking up feeling good every single day. Rest is first, nutrition is second and then, everything falls in after that. Everyone’s body reacts differently. You just got to do what is required for you to get going that night.”
“He brings his work ethic,” Cizikas said. “He’s one of the hardest workers every single night. You see that in the way he puts his body on the line and the way he competes. It’s day in and day out. He definitely leads us out there.”
“This is a great game,” Lee said. “It’s fun to play. It’s difficult but very rewarding. Coming to the rink, being with the guys and getting to play hockey for a living, it’s a really special thing.
“It’s who he is from the inside out,” Cizikas said. “I think you can attribute that to the way he was brought up by his parents. He cares about everybody, and he cares about how everybody is doing. I think that’s the main thing. He’s always talking and asking you how you’re feeling. That’s what you want from your leader. You want him to lead you on the ice and be that vocal point in the room. ”
