Anders Lee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anders Lee
Lee with the New York Islanders in March 2018
Born	(1990-07-03) July 3, 1990 (age 34) Edina, Minnesota, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	231 lb (105 kg; 16 st 7 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team	New York Islanders
National team	United States
NHL Draft	152nd overall, 2009 New York Islanders
Playing career	2013–present

Anders Mark Lee (born July 3, 1990) is an American professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left wing and is the captain for the New York Islanders. This team is part of the National Hockey League (NHL). Anders went to the University of Notre Dame, where he played for their ice hockey team. The Islanders picked him in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Early Life and High School Years

Anders Lee was born in Edina, Minnesota. This is a suburb near Minneapolis. From a young age, he was great at many sports. He played football, ice hockey, and baseball.

In 2004, he moved to Saint Thomas Academy high school. He joined the varsity ice hockey team as an eighth-grader. He even won a high school hockey championship in 2006.

In 2007, Anders went back to Edina High School. He wanted to play with friends he grew up with. This move was a big deal. In his junior year, he quickly made a difference. He became the starting quarterback for the football team. He also played hockey, scoring 54 points. His hockey team had a great record. They finished second in the state tournament. He also played varsity baseball.

As a senior, Anders had an amazing year in football. He was the quarterback and ran for many touchdowns. He won the 2008 Minnesota Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. He holds a state record for gaining 581 yards in one game.

Anders also had a very successful senior year in hockey. He was one of the top scorers in the league. He helped his team reach the 2009 state hockey tournament. He was a finalist for the "Mr. Hockey" Award. Many scouts thought he was one of Minnesota's best athletes. Anders chose to play hockey at Notre Dame. He turned down offers to play both football and hockey at other big schools.

Playing Career

Starting Out in Hockey

In the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders picked Anders Lee. He was chosen in the sixth round. Some teams worried he might choose football over hockey. Anders spent the next season with the Green Bay Gamblers. This team is in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He was their top scorer. He scored 35 goals and had 31 assists. He was named "Rookie of the Year" for the season. He also won the Playoff MVP award.

The next year, Anders played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This was his first year in college. He was the second-highest scorer for his team. Notre Dame had a great season. They made it to the Frozen Four tournament. This is like the semi-finals for college hockey.

Becoming a Professional Player

Anders Lee signed a contract with the New York Islanders in 2013. He played his first NHL game the very next day. He scored his first NHL goal on his very first shot! This helped the Islanders win the game.

Lee with the Islanders in April 2014

Anders started the next season playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. This is the Islanders' minor league team. He was a top scorer there. Soon, he was called up to play for the Islanders. He showed he could score goals in the NHL. He started playing with star players like John Tavares.

In the 2014–15 season, Anders became a regular player for the Islanders. He played on a line with Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson. This was called the 'Kid Line'. He also played on the team's power play. He became one of the top rookies in the league. He was named the league's "Rookie of the Month" in February. He finished the season with 25 goals. His play helped the Islanders make the playoffs.

After that season, Anders signed a new four-year contract. In the 2015–16 season, he kept improving. He scored 15 goals and had 36 points. However, he broke his fibula (a bone in his leg) near the end of the season. This injury meant he missed the playoffs. Even without him, the Islanders made it to the second round. This was the first time since 1993!

Anders came back healthy for the 2016–17 season. He had his best year yet! He scored a career-high 34 goals. He also had 18 assists. He won the Bob Nystrom Award. This award goes to the Islander who shows great leadership and effort.

In the 2017–18 season, Anders continued to be a top scorer. He scored 40 goals. This was tied for seventh-most in the entire NHL! He also had 22 assists.

At the start of the 2018–19 season, Anders Lee was named the 15th captain of the Islanders. This was a big honor! In 2019, he signed a new seven-year contract with the team.

In 2021, Anders had to miss the rest of the season. He needed surgery for a knee injury. He worked hard to recover.

On March 10, 2022, Anders scored his first NHL hat-trick. This means he scored three goals in one game! The Islanders won 6–0.

Anders has played over 750 NHL games. He has scored more than 260 goals and has over 450 points. He continues to be a key player and leader for the New York Islanders.

Personal life

Anders Lee works with an organization called Jam Kancer in the Kan. He helps raise money for childhood cancer research. He has hosted many events. He has helped raise over $300,000. He also started the Fenov Pierre-Louis Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship helps high school seniors.

Anders' cousin, Ryan Connelly, is a football player. Anders also has three nephews. Anders studied Management Consulting at Notre Dame.

Awards and honors

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze	2015 Czech Republic
Bronze	2018 Denmark