Steadi-Lee
Every NHL club needs a strong defensive presence who can move the puck when the game is on the line and make life miserable for opposing forwards.
Brian Lee fits the bill.
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The Moorhead, Minnesota native is the top-ranked U.S. high school prospect for the
2005 NHL Draft, checking in at No. 27 on this month's Top 100.
Although the young defenseman looked in over his head at times for Team USA at the WJC against older and more experienced competition, the hallmark of Lee's game is still both his physical play and his calm and cool demeanor. That kind of combination could deliver him a bright future in hockey.
His progress to the pro ranks will first run through the University of North Dakota, where he has committed to for next season after his final year of high school.
Since this year's WJC was played on American soil, Lee actually got to make his tournament appearances in front of his soon-to-be home team, the UND Fighting Sioux. And interestingly enough, the 17-year old already has a fan club at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.
No kidding.
A group of Moorhead alumni have a suite for the Sioux games all season and they proudly display their Brian Lee Fan Club sign over the edge. Not bad, right?
"Yeah, I didn't really see it (the banner) until the anthem… but it's nice knowing that you have fans," smiled Lee.
Fellow Minnesota native and soon-to-be teammate Drew Stafford has also been giving Lee a helping hand.
"Drew's been really nice showing me around," noted Lee. "Showing me what to do what not to do since he's been here."
Lee also said he's really looking forward to playing hockey at "The Ralph" next year.
"It's a great place," said Lee. "I've been here a lot to watch games. I've never actually played a game on this ice. It's great to play here, the fans are great here."
UND puck junkies will soon see a defenseman in their ranks that displays an effortless skating stride with excellent top speed at the ready in his back pocket in case he gets in a jam. He also sees the ice well and that vision is reflected in his intelligent passing choices.
For Lee, the game starts in his own end and develops from there.
"I think that I play a strong defensive game and just try to move the puck up to our forwards so they can score the goals for us."
Lee may not have generated the overall buzz in draft circles like fellow draftees Jack Johnson or Jakub Kindl, but make no mistake - any team would love to have him.
The hard hits, the smart plays, and the ability to keep up with the action at any place on the ice - the tools are definitely there.