Anders Lee Is A Spectacular Leader, Person and Captain
New York Islanders’ forward Anders Lee exemplifies exactly what it means to be a captain.
In his nearly four seasons with the “C” on his sweater, Lee has perfectly represented the franchise, serving as an ideal mentor on and off the ice.
Lee exudes perseverance – he had to fight to make the NHL after being drafted by the Islanders in the sixth round (151st overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft.
Lee exudes leadership – prior to captaining the Islanders, he was the captain of the Edina High School football and hockey teams and Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team.
But most importantly, Lee exudes character – he is simply a good person.
For these reasons – and many more – Lee is an impeccable leader, and the perfect person to guide the Islanders to their fifth Stanley Cup.
John Tavares’ Departure
Lee was named the 15th captain in the history of the Islanders on Oct. 4, 2018.
Lee, the 15th captain in team history, succeeded John Tavares, who signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2018. Tavares had been the captain since 2013-14.
Tavares was a quiet leader. He led by example, allowing his stellar play on the ice to speak for itself. But in his final season with the team, it was clear the team needed a new culture.
The Islanders finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a 35-37-10 record. The team spent much of the year answering questions about the future of their captain. The Mississauga, Canada native frequently expressed his desire to remain on Long Island.
“This is obviously where I hope to be. I’ve always stated that,” Tavares said on April 9, 2018.
That obviously was not fully true.
Prove People Wrong
When Tavares left, the franchise seemed destined for years of failure. Many outlets predicted the Islanders would be the worst team in hockey. However, what followed was a magical run where the Islanders proved people wrong, shocked the NHL and made the postseason.
“A lot of people didn’t think that was going to happen except for the guys in this room,” Lee said on March 30, 2019. “It’s a long season and we’ve worked extremely hard to get to this point. It would be a big validation for us in this room and be nice for us to prove as many people as we can wrong.”
Lee was a big reason why the team had success. Naming a captain gave the Islanders respect and a clear leadership core. Many believed the Islanders would not have a captain for the first time since the 1996-97 season, but choosing Lee to lead the team was a much-needed decision.
On the ice, he was sensational.
He led the team with 28 goals, 10 power-play tallies and 4.1 offensive point shares, an estimate of the number of points a player contributes to his team with his offense. His 51 total points and +20 rating were both fourth-best on the team.
But off the ice, he was even better.
He was a steady leader who showed much more emotion than his predecessor, something his teammates needed.
Excitement level ⬆️⬆️⬆️. #LGI pic.twitter.com/KwyawUKw0Q
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 23, 2019
He also served as the liaison between his teammates and first-year head coach Barry Trotz, and frequently took the podium after difficult losses, which alleviated pressure off his teammates.
In his first season as captain, Lee was vocal when he needed to be, but quiet at times, too. He helped a team that was expected to fail exceed everyone’s expectations. He was the perfect captain for the Islanders.
“If you don’t know what you’re doing, just look at [Lee] and he’s doing the right thing all the time,” Thomas Hickey after the 2018-19 season. “I’m just proud of the way he’s handled it. Some people overthink it, some people try to do too much and [Lee] just remained true to himself.”
Lee’s Charitable Initiatives
There are many reasons why Lee is an amazing leader. On and off the ice, he represents the organization perfectly. But one thing that makes Lee special is that he is very involved in the local community.
Lee is a Jambassador for Jam Kancer In The Kan, a charity that raises money to fight cancer. The first annual Anders Lee Kancer Jam was held on March 18, 2017 and raised over $103,000. A year later, Lee hosted a second event, raising over $122,000.
Lee supported this cause because he saw a video of 15-year-old cancer patient Fenov Pierre-Louis’s speech at the Third Annual Scotch Plains Kancer Jam in 2016.
Sadly, Pierre-Louis passed away on July 18, 2018. Lee attended his funeral, gave a eulogy and has since created a scholarship program in honor of his friend.
I miss Fenov everyday. If Kancer hadn’t taken him, he’d be finishing up his senior year and heading to college. To honor him, I’m awarding “Fenov Scholarships” to HS seniors who’ve helped someone @jamkancer. Please help spread the word @NYIslanders fans. Details-click link in bio pic.twitter.com/8tsvxFB1YO
— Anders Lee (@leeberr09) March 25, 2019
Additionally, each of the past two years, Lee has helped families affected by cancer during the holiday season.
The Power of Social Media
Lee is a perfect example of how being a captain is not just about hockey, but having a respected personal brand on social media, too.
After George Floyd was murdered by a police officer during an arrest on May 25, 2020, Lee shared his thoughts on Twitter. While the Islanders received immense backlash for their statement, Lee’s was simple, kind and caring.
— Anders Lee (@leeberr09) June 1, 2020
To add on, Lee stepped up to the plate as the world was beginning to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He used his power to make an impact, helping children stay safe during a dangerous time.
Our captain @leeberr09 has a message for all the #Isles kids out there and hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! pic.twitter.com/rVBdZrSD90
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 19, 2020
Lee has also used social media to share other charitable initiatives, congratulate his teammates on milestones and support mental health.
Conclusion
While the Islanders are struggling this season, they have the perfect captain to get them out of their funk.
Lee leads with his actions, play and charitable work. If the Islanders match the dedication and determination of their leader, they will be in good shape — sooner rather than later.
