Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.in-forum.com
- Name: Brian Lee
- Position: D
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 202 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-03-26
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: ,
- Acquired: 9th overall, 2005 NHL Entry Draft by Ottawa
- Playing In: Pro
Brian Lee
Prospect Grade: 7.0 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Derek Cheng
History
The 2005 NHL entry draft order was established completely by weighted lottery. The Ottawa Senators were fortunate enough to land the ninth overall pick, their highest draft position since 2001, despite finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference. They selected then-College bound high school senior Brian Lee out of Moorhead in Minnesota. Lee has taken his time developing, but seems poised to become a significant part of Ottawa’s future blueline.
2003-04: Lee, a freshman at Moorhead high school in Minnesota, produced amazing numbers and turned a lot of heads as he posted 48 points in just 29 games. Lee, a veteran of USA hockey events, participated in the 8 Nations tournament and was named top defenseman at the U-17 Five Nations Cup in Slovakia. The Lincoln Stars of the USHL selected Lee 111th overall in the 2004 draft.
2004-05: Minnesota’s 2005 Mr. Hockey and Associated Press Player of the Year was the first high school player selected in the 2005 NHL draft. Lee had an accomplished senior season at Moorhead. Although his point total dipped from 48 to 37 in five fewer games, Lee lead Moorhead to the championship game of the state AA high school tournament. Upon completion of the high school season, Lee joined Lincoln in the USHL and finished the season strong with 5 points in 4 playoff games. Lee also became only the 13th high school player to make the USA roster at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
2005-06: In his freshman year at University of North Dakota, Lee played with an all-star cast that included Jonathan Toews, Travis Zajac, Drew Stafford, and T.J. Oshie. Lee quickly became the go-to defenseman for the team and lead all North Dakota defenders with 27 points in 44 games. Lee once again participated in the World Junior Hockey Championships, picking up one goal in 7 matches.
2006-07: Lee added some much needed weight in the summer of 2006 and returned to the Fighting Sioux with a desire to improve his defensive game. He did just that and did not sacrifice his offensive production. Lee notched 25 points in 37 games, but more importantly, he became a much steadier defenseman. For the third straight year, Lee was part of Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championships, but he played in the shadow of two fellow US-College standouts, Erik and Jack Johnson (no relation).
Eric Vegoe contributed to this profile
Talent Analysis
The University of North Dakota recruit was an imposing player at the high school level, possessing good size and superb skating skills. He can play in all situations, can easily move the puck up ice, and is adept at joining the rush. Lee has excellent hockey sense and handles the puck with ease. Lee plays well in his own zone and his smooth skating ability gives him terrific gap control. He is rarely beaten on a rush. Despite being more of an offensive defenseman, Lee lacks the creativity to be an effective quarterback. He is still a good option for the power play though because of his reliability, calm demeanor, and poise with the puck. Lee has added body strength over the years, but still does not possess a mean streak. His 6’3 frame should allow him to play a solid physical game, but Lee rarely finishes his checks.
Moorhead High School Coach Dave Morinville told Hockey’s Future that Lee is very coachable and compares Lee to another American defenseman.
"He is an extremely great leader in a quiet way," said Morinville. "He's a guy I always compare to Brian Leetch, as he's solid defensively and he's guy that can bring you some offense without giving up chances." Morinville added that Lee is a dedicated student to the game, and indicated that Lee put an emphasis on plyometric and sprint work in the off-season, recognizing that first step quickness will play a huge role at the next level. Lee did not see much ice time with the U-20 team, but his resume should push him into the first round.
Future
It’s likely Lee will need a little more seasoning in the AHL to develop his physical game, but he’s shown quite clearly that he has a future in the NHL.
Stats
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| 2003-04 | Moorhead (HS-MN) | 29 | 10 | 38 | 48 | 20 | -- |
| 2004 | USA '87 (8 Nations) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -2 |
| 2004-05 | Moorhead (HS-MN) | 24 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 50 | +35 |
| 2005 | Team USA (World JR) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +2 |
| 2004-05 | Lincoln (USHL) | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| 2005 | Lincoln (USHL) | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | -2 |
| 2005-06 | U of North Dakota (NCAA) | 44 | 4 | 23 | 27 | 44 | -- |
| 2006 | Team USA (World JR) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | +1 |
| 2006-07 | U of North Dakota (NCAA) | 37 | 2 | 23 | 25 | 69 | -- |
| 2007 | Team USA (World JR) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | -1 |
Profile Last Updated: April, 1st 2008
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