Anders Lee Bio
Anders Mark Lee (born July 3, 1990) is an American professional ice hockey player who serves as the captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Edina, Minnesota native plays the left wing position and shoots left. Lee attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played college hockey for the Fighting Irish before embarking on his professional career. The New York Islanders selected Lee in the sixth round, 151st overall, during the 2009 NHL entry draft. He signed a seven-year contract worth $49 million in July 2019 that runs through the 2025-26 season.
Early Life and Background
Lee was born in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, to Thomas and Lisa Lee. From a young age, he excelled in multiple sports, particularly football, ice hockey, and baseball. In 2004, Lee transferred to Saint Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, where he made the varsity ice hockey team as an eighth-grader and played alongside future professional players. He was part of St. Thomas Academy’s Class A high school hockey tournament championship team in 2006.
In the fall of 2007, Lee transferred back to Edina High School to play with teammates he had grown up with. His high school career was marked by exceptional dual-sport success. On the football field, Lee was the starting quarterback and passed for 2,049 yards with 14 touchdowns during his junior year. As a senior, he passed for 2,007 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 1,105 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 308.7 yards of offense per game. Lee was named the 2008 Minnesota Gatorade Football Player of the Year and the Star Tribune All-Metro Player of the Year.
Path to Professional Hockey
While Lee received offers to play both football and hockey at major universities, he ultimately chose to pursue hockey at the University of Notre Dame. Prior to college, he played for the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2009-10 season. Lee was the team’s leading scorer with 35 goals and 31 assists in 59 games, posting a team-best plus-38 plus-minus rating. He was selected to the All-Star Game, named USHL Playoff MVP, and earned Rookie of the Year honors for his performance.
Lee began his collegiate career at Notre Dame during the 2010-11 season. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, scoring a team-leading 24 goals with 20 assists for 44 points. The Fighting Irish finished second in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) after placing ninth the previous season. Notre Dame advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four before losing to the University of Minnesota Duluth in the semifinals. As a sophomore during the 2011-12 season, Lee was the second-leading scorer for Notre Dame with 17 goals and 17 assists.
Anders Lee Career
Early Career (2013-2014)
Lee concluded his collegiate career on April 1, 2013, by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders. He made his NHL debut the following day against the Winnipeg Jets. In remarkable fashion, Lee scored his first career NHL goal on his very first shift and first shot, helping lead the Islanders to a 5-2 victory. He appeared in two games with the Islanders that season, recording one goal and one assist.
Prior to the 2013-14 season, Lee participated in Islanders training camp but was assigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, New York’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, on September 30, 2013. He dominated at the AHL level, leading Bridgeport in scoring with 22 goals and 19 assists through the first half of the season. His strong play earned him a recall to the NHL on February 24, 2014.
New York Islanders Breakthrough (2014-2018)
Lee began the 2014-15 season with the Sound Tigers but was quickly recalled to the Islanders on October 22. He became a fixture in the lineup and formed part of the youthful “Kid Line” alongside Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson. Lee also earned opportunities on the team’s top power play unit. After Kyle Okposo was injured in late January, Lee moved to the top line with John Tavares and Josh Bailey. He finished the season with 25 goals and 16 assists for 41 points in 76 games, ranking second among league rookies with 19 goals by mid-February. Lee earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors for February, during which he led all rookies with 15 points and six game-winning goals. The Islanders qualified for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, where Lee appeared in five games.
The 2015-16 season saw Lee begin slowly as he was reassigned to the second line with Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey. He struggled through the first half of the season but showed improvement after reuniting with John Tavares late in December. On April 7, 2016, Lee suffered a broken fibula during a game against the New York Rangers, ending his season. He finished with 15 goals and 36 points through 80 games.
Lee returned healthy for the 2016-17 season and experienced a breakthrough year. Playing primarily on a line with team captain John Tavares and Josh Bailey, he set career highs with 34 goals and 52 points in 82 games. His strong two-way play and leadership qualities earned him the Bob Nystrom Award, given to the Islander who best exemplifies leadership, hustle, and dedication. The following season (2017-18), Lee served as left wing on the first line with Bailey and Tavares. He led the Islanders with 40 goals, tied for seventh-most in the entire NHL, and added 22 assists for 62 points. His performance earned him a nomination for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in April 2018.
Captain Era (2018-Present)
Following John Tavares’s departure to the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency, Lee was named the 15th captain in New York Islanders history at the beginning of the 2018-19 season. On July 1, 2019, he signed his landmark seven-year, $49 million contract, securing his future with the organization through the 2025-26 season. The contract reflected his status as the team’s on-ice leader and offensive cornerstone.
During the 2020-21 season, Lee suffered a significant setback when he sustained a torn ACL after a collision with New Jersey Devils forward Pavel Zacha. The Islanders announced on March 17, 2021, that Lee would miss the remainder of the season to undergo surgery. He returned to form in the 2021-22 season, achieving his first NHL hat-trick on March 10, 2022, in a 6-0 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Playing Style and Strengths
Lee is known as a power forward who combines size with scoring ability. At 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds, he uses his frame effectively to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. His left-shot technique and positioning make him particularly effective on power play units, where he serves as a net-front presence. Lee’s hockey IQ allows him to find open space and deflect shots, while his physical style creates scoring opportunities for his linemates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lee’s career has been defined by steady progression from a sixth-round draft pick to team captain. His memorable NHL debut, scoring on his first career shift, established his reputation as a natural scorer. The 2017-18 season represented his offensive peak with 40 goals, while his first career hat-trick against Columbus in 2022 provided a signature moment. As captain, he has helped the Islanders maintain competitiveness despite roster transitions.
Anders Lee Career Wins
Throughout his NHL career, Lee has established himself as a consistent goal scorer, reaching the 20-goal threshold multiple times. His most prolific season came in 2017-18 when he led the Islanders with 40 goals.
New York Islanders Highlights
Lee’s most successful season came in 2017-18 when he scored 40 goals and 62 points while serving as a top-line left wing. He followed this with strong campaigns including his 2021-22 hat-trick performance. Across his career, Lee has been recognized as the Islanders’ representative for leadership excellence, earning the Bob Nystrom Award and eventually being named team captain. His consistent goal-scoring has made him one of the most reliable forwards in franchise history.
College and Junior Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Lee won a USHL championship with the Green Bay Gamblers in 2009-10, earning Playoff MVP honors. At Notre Dame, he helped the Fighting Irish advance to the NCAA Frozen Four during his freshman season. His junior hockey career included USHL All-Star Game selection and Rookie of the Year honors.
Anders Lee Family
Family Background
Lee was born to Thomas and Lisa Lee in Edina, Minnesota. His cousin is football player Ryan Connelly, who played at the University of Wisconsin. Lee also has a nephew named Braylon Lee who plays hockey for Maple Grove. His family athletic background contributed to his multi-sport development during childhood and adolescence.
Personal Life
Lee married his wife Grace, and together they have two daughters, born in March 2020 and November 2021. Lee holds a degree in Management Consulting from the University of Notre Dame. Off the ice, he is actively involved with the Jam Kancer in the Kan foundation, which supports childhood cancer patients. After meeting cancer patient Fenov Pierre-Louis at an event, Lee established the Fenov Pierre-Louis Memorial Scholarship, which he awards to five high school seniors each year. Through his foundation work, Lee has helped raise over $300,000 for childhood cancer research and support.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2024-25 NHL season, Lee continues to serve as captain of the New York Islanders, providing veteran leadership to a franchise that has undergone significant roster changes in recent years. Now in his sixth season as captain, Lee remains a key offensive contributor while mentoring younger players in the organization. His long-term contract through 2026 demonstrates the organization’s commitment to his leadership and on-ice abilities. As the Islanders look to return to playoff contention, Lee’s experience and two-way play continue to anchor the forward corps. His durability following his 2021 ACL recovery has allowed him to maintain his status as a reliable 20-plus goal scorer. The 2024-25 campaign represents another opportunity for Lee to add to his legacy as one of the most accomplished captains in franchise history.