NE Prep: QA with Avons Paul Lee

Paul Lee is ranked #199 on Central Scouting's Mid-Term Ranking and has committed to Dartmouth for 2008. Lee has very good size (6-3, 210) and strength, and is a strong skater with a long, powerful stride. He never misses an opportunity to play the body and forechecks hard. He was a solid piece to complement Avon's top line with Pat Mullane and Cam Atkinson. In the offensive zone, he is very dangerous when he drives to the net, he moves the puck well and makes smart plays. A player definitely considered for the upcoming draft due to his size, strength and skill with the puck.

McKeen's: How did you become interested in hockey? At what age did you start playing organized hockey?

Lee: I got into hockey because my best friend, and neighbor, played all the time so I started playing in the driveway with him. I started liking it more and more and eventually moved to the ice and played on his mite team around the age of four.

McKeen's: Describe the type of game you play. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

Lee: I think I play physical two-way game. As a center, I take pride in the defensive zone and winning all the battles in that end of the ice. On the offensive side of things, I use my body to protect the puck and see the ice well to create opportunities. For weaknesses, I would have to say my agility and my hands could use some improvement.

McKeen's: What would you say is the most underrated facet to your game?

Lee: The most underrated parts of my game are my work in the defensive zone and ability to put the puck in the net.

McKeen's: Which NHL player do you model your game after and why?

Lee: Although I haven't seen him play lately, my game is similar to what I remember about Todd Bertuzzi. He is a physical player who never turns down a battle but also has tremendous offensive ability. He competes hard all over the ice.

McKeen's: Who are the five most talented players you have played against and what specifically do you admire about their styles?

Lee: Nick Petrecki - He is one of the biggest defenseman I have played against and plays with such tenacity. He makes you not want to go into the corners or the front of the net.

Cam Atkinson - He has such great speed and is impossible to contain. He has a quick release and great hand/eye coordination. I've never seen someone who could bat the puck out of the air and get a shot the next second like him.

Max Pacioretty - His size makes it impossible to get the puck and he has great hands for such a big player. He is a great goal scorer.

Sam Gagner - He has some of the best hands I've ever seen. He understands the game very well and always knows where to be.

Vladimir Nikiforov - He is the best skater I have ever played against and has the hands to match.

McKeen's: You are from Garden City, NY. Where did you play before attending Avon? What made you decide to do a Post-Graduate year at Avon out of all the prep schools in CT?

Lee: Before I came to Avon, I played at Lawrenceville in New Jersey for three years. A lot of people think that I am a PG but I am actually just a senior. I left Lawrenceville after my junior year for better competition and the chance to play for a New England title. I came to Avon because I knew a few guys on the team already and knew of the winning tradition here.

McKeen's: Describe your decision process in committing to Dartmouth and what are you looking forward most to playing for the Big Green with coach Bob Gaudet?

Lee: I've always known that I wanted to go to a good school for academics for life after hockey. Knowing that, when the opportunity to go to Dartmouth came along, I was thrilled and it wasn't too hard of a decision. The campus was beautiful and the hockey is great. I'm looking forward to playing in the creative and offensive style of hockey that coach Gaudet uses.

McKeen's: Were there any other schools in the mix?

Lee: Harvard, Yale, and Brown

McKeen's: What were your expectations coming into this season and did you know the high expectation that goes along with playing at a school like Avon?

Lee: I knew that there were a lot of talented players here at Avon so I didn't know where I would fit in but I was pretty confident in myself and the teams ability to win. Honestly, I didn't really know much about how high the expectations were when I came to Avon. Everyone at the school expects success and anything else would be a huge disappointment.

McKeen's: You won the prep championship, what was that experience like?

Lee: It was better then I could've ever imagined. My teammates always talked about how great it was and how much fun New Hampshire was, but I had no idea. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

McKeen's: What do you think about coach Gardner and the job he has done at Avon (7 prep championships – most of any prep school)?

Lee: The only word I can think of to describe it is unbelievable. The fact that he has won five more then any other school blows my mind. He knows the game better then any coach I've had and most importantly he's fun to play for.

McKeen's: Describe your summer. Do you play a lot of hockey or relax and workout? What do you focus on during off-season training?

Lee: I skate two or three times a week but I like to give myself a little bit of a break and focus more on the off-ice aspects. I am going to use this summer to try and gain some weight and speed to get ready for next year. I mainly focus on leg strength in the off-season.

McKeen's: The NHL Entry Draft will be coming up for you this year. Are you thinking about it at all?

Lee: I'd be lying if I said that I don't think about it sometimes, it would be the first step towards a dream come true. But I also realize that it only speaks of my skills now and not when it counts down the road, so I'm not making a big deal about it. Whatever happens, happens.

McKeen's: Is there any NHL team that you follow closely?

Lee: Right now, I can't say I'm proud of it, but the Islanders. I've lived five minutes from the Nassau Coliseum my entire life and grew up going to the games.

McKeen's: Which areas do you consider you have to improve to succeed in the next level in college and further?

Lee: Agility and balance would be the two biggest things and just getting stronger every day.

McKeen's Five Fun Questions:

1. What has been your best hockey moment so far? (Goal, hit, etc.)

Lee: Winning the New England Championship this year.

2. Best thing about your hometown Garden City, NY?

Lee: I have a lot of my family in town so its nice knowing they'll be there when I come home.

3. Favorite actor/ actress?

Lee: Will Ferrell

4. If you had your own theme song, what would it be?

Lee: I don't know if there is an actual title for this song but it gets played when there is a showdown or dual in the old wild west movies. It's kind of a whistle. I just feel like when you hear that song you check to see who is coming.

5. Best arena you played in?

Lee: Everything included, Avon Old Farms. The fan support we get here is unreal. I had friends in the stands that were more excited for the game then I was. They were a sixth man on the ice.