ISLANDERS’ ROOKIE EARNING PRAISE AROUND THE LEAGUE
Anders Lee has been named NHL Rookie of the Month for February after tallying seven goals and eight assists during the busy 15 game stretch.
After winning the award, it is safe to assume Anders Lee is a strong candidate for The Calder Memorial Trophy. The honor is an annual award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.
Lee started the year in Bridgeport due to a surplus of forwards on the Islanders roster but eventually made it the big club. Since getting called up on October 22 he has made sure Islanders management had no choice but to keep him here.
Since the all-star break and with alternate captain Kyle Okposo out of the lineup, Lee has been playing on the top line. He has added a net presence that the team has missed since Matt Moulson was traded.
“It really helps when you have a guy like him (Lee) who is such a powerhouse in front of the net,” Josh Bailey explained. “He finds a way to get a piece of anything at the net, he’s so strong guys can’t move him. I think you always know in any situation if there is not a play to be made you can always throw it on the net and it’s never a bad play with him being there.”
Anders Lee has tallied 20 goals and 12 assists in only 56 games. While most skilled forwards command more playing time Lee has managed to put up those impressive numbers averaging only 13:43 of ice time per game.
Other rookies in the Calder competition have taken notice of Lee’s strong game.
“I got to play him my freshman year against Notre Dame,” Calgary Flames rookie Johnny Gaudreau said. “You know its good to see more college guys playing so well.“
Lee has made a habit of getting in front of the net and using his big body to create opportunities.
“I think that when you have the determination to get to the front of the net you’re going to score a lot of goals,” Jack Capuano told Islanders Point Blank. “We talk about it all the time, you go there good things are going to happen. Guys should take a look at that and their point production will pick up.”
By: Scott Charles
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Staff Writer
Islanders Insight Senior Editor
Follow us on Twitter @sportstalkny and @Scottmcharles
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