2009 NHL Entry Draft Recap - Part II

As I was preparing to write up part two for the Islanders draft recap, I received an email from one of the readers of New York Islanders Net who knows our sixth round pick, Anders Lee, personally. Instead of keeping the draft recap a three part series, I decided to make it a four part series, with this entry focusing only on Anders Lee, and then picking up from there. Here is the email I received from an Islanders Net reader from Edina, Minnesota, hometown of Anders Lee himself. The email is short, but it does contain many links that I will also put in here. This reader (who I will keep anonymous unless he gives me the green light to do otherwise) obviously knows Anders Lee very well. Here it is:

Dear Justin,

Here is some information regarding Anders Lee who grew up in our community of Edina, MN. These are links and stories published in the paper or newscasts. A three-sport All-State Athlete in football, hockey and pitcher in baseball, Lee was recruited by D-1 programs in all three sports. He was a nationally ranked speed skater until he quit in his sophomore year in High School. He is headed to the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL for 1-year then on to Notre Dame. Many felt his late round choice was due to the possibility of selecting football over hockey. He’s a fantastic athlete, and an even better young man.

Gatorade and Metro Player of the Year (Football)

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/34618994.html

NHL.Com Story

http://www.nhl.com/ice/newsprint.htm?id=402661

Kare11 News and Video clip

http://www.kare11.com/sports/prep/athlete/athlete_article.aspx?storyid=523705&catid=8

Fox Sports

http://www.foxpreps.com/honorroll/story.asp?1656027

Nation Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame

http://nffmn.org/newsletters/NFFMN%20March%202009.pdf

All Metro

http://www.kare11.com/sports/prep/football/metro2008/metro_article.aspx?storyid=529359

Hockey footage

http://sg.video.yahoo.com/watch/4506248/12074103

Football footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzWlR6hE7y0

Section final game winner OT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GloHU4SKqM&feature=related

Section final penalty shot

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=section+final+burnsville&n=21&ei=UTF-8&js=1&fr=yfp-t-501&SpellState=n-3079900012_q-BQu1xsrFncH0KX6U4RkgEQAAAA%40%40&tnr=20&vid=0001250891049

Sincerely,

*************

As you can see, this Islanders Net reader has a grip on Lee. I checked out all of these links, and I suggest you do the same. Even though some pertain to football, they are still great reads on Lee’s character and his athletic ability. It is great that he has chosen hockey over football, and we all can hope that he turns out to be a great steal for the New York Islanders. Here is some basic information on Anders Lee, as I will not delve too deep into his game.

At 6’2, 210 pounds, Lee has a great body size as an 18 year old for the NHL. He is very physical, and a great skater. While he is considered a two-way player, his passing game is below average, and could use a little bit of help. Many scouts believe that if he chooses hockey over football, Lee could be one of the major late round steals of the draft, considering his raw talent for the game, and his desire to always be better. Scouts generally believe this is a great pick, and another choice by the Islanders where the players potential is simply too much to pass over. He could be a second or third line center when all is said and done, and the Islanders may love to see that happen.

Be sure to check back soon for Part III of the draft recap. Also coming up, I take a look at some of the ridiculous comments that have been ongoing in Islanders message boards and blogging comment sections since the opening of the free agency period. As always, comments and questions are greatly appreciated. They can be left below in the comments section, or you can always email me at IslesNet@Gmail.Com .