(above) DU recruit John Lee will play for the Pioneers next seasonDefenseman's impact felt beyond the stat sheet
By JIM NELSON, Courier Sports Writer
WATERLOO — DU recruit John Lee is not going to wow a lot of people on a stat sheet.
The Waterloo Black Hawks second year defenseman does not center his game on scoring goals, dishing out assists or delivering big hits.
While all those things are part of Lee’s repertoire, head coach P.K. O’Handley says the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Lee is one of the best rink managers in the United States Hockey League.
And, O’Handley isn’t talking about the guy that drives the zamboni in-between periods, although Lee probably could handle that chore.
"John manages a game so well," O’Handley said. "He gets the puck out of the zone, makes great passes and sets guys up.
"John just has tremendous rink management. He knows what he can and can’t do, whether its at home in Young Arena or on the road.
"We wouldn’t be where we are today if we did not have John Lee playing on the blueline."
Lee’s game has been good for a while.
He was a Mr. Hockey finalist in Minnesota a year ago, when he split time with his high school team in Moorhead, Minn., and the Black Hawks. He appeared in 36 games overall, 27 in the regular season.
His rink management was good enough to land him a scholarship offer from the University of Denver. Lee was also drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL draft — ahead of fellow Black Hawk blueliners Blake Kessel and Drew MacKenzie.
"I’m a defensive ‘D’," Lee said. "I try to keep the puck out of our zone, make good first passes and try to contribute points when the opportunity is there."
Lee registered nine points a year ago, and followed that up with 12 points in 59 regular season games this season.
He has been paired on the ice frequently with MacKenzie, a Buffalo Sabre draft pick.
Although Denver was beckoning, Lee decided to come back to Waterloo for another season.
"It was a chance to get another year of experience and step my game up to the next level in order to play college hockey," said Lee, who committed to Denver as a junior.
Lee doesn’t have bad bloodlines, either.
Lee’s older brother, Brian, who was drafted in the first round, ninth overall in 2005, made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators this year after leaving the University of North Dakota early to turn pro.
Brian played 12 games with the Lincoln Stars in 2004-05 after he earned Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey Award.
O’Handley believes some day soon the two will be playing against each other.
John likes that idea.
"To get drafted last year was a huge honor. But there is a lot of hard work left to do to get there, " Lee said. "I thought we’d get a chance to play against each other in college. But that obviously won’t happen because Brian left North Dakota early.
"But it would be unreal to play against him some day in the NHL."
GAME TRACKER
Chicago Steel vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
What: USHL Clark Cup playoffs, Game 2
When: Today, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Young Arena
Series to date: Waterloo took a 1-0 series lead Wednesday with a 4-1 victory.
The Black Hawks broke open a tight game with three goals, including two 13 seconds apart, by Siim Liivik and Blake Kessel in the third period. Nick Larson and Keegan Meuer also scored for Waterloo.
The Black Hawks held Chicago to 14 shots on net, and the Steel didn’t get on the scoreboard until the game’s final 22 seconds.
The Waterloo Black Hawks second year defenseman does not center his game on scoring goals, dishing out assists or delivering big hits.
While all those things are part of Lee’s repertoire, head coach P.K. O’Handley says the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Lee is one of the best rink managers in the United States Hockey League.
And, O’Handley isn’t talking about the guy that drives the zamboni in-between periods, although Lee probably could handle that chore.
"John manages a game so well," O’Handley said. "He gets the puck out of the zone, makes great passes and sets guys up.
"John just has tremendous rink management. He knows what he can and can’t do, whether its at home in Young Arena or on the road.
"We wouldn’t be where we are today if we did not have John Lee playing on the blueline."
Lee’s game has been good for a while.
He was a Mr. Hockey finalist in Minnesota a year ago, when he split time with his high school team in Moorhead, Minn., and the Black Hawks. He appeared in 36 games overall, 27 in the regular season.
His rink management was good enough to land him a scholarship offer from the University of Denver. Lee was also drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL draft — ahead of fellow Black Hawk blueliners Blake Kessel and Drew MacKenzie.
"I’m a defensive ‘D’," Lee said. "I try to keep the puck out of our zone, make good first passes and try to contribute points when the opportunity is there."
Lee registered nine points a year ago, and followed that up with 12 points in 59 regular season games this season.
He has been paired on the ice frequently with MacKenzie, a Buffalo Sabre draft pick.
Although Denver was beckoning, Lee decided to come back to Waterloo for another season.
"It was a chance to get another year of experience and step my game up to the next level in order to play college hockey," said Lee, who committed to Denver as a junior.
Lee doesn’t have bad bloodlines, either.
Lee’s older brother, Brian, who was drafted in the first round, ninth overall in 2005, made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators this year after leaving the University of North Dakota early to turn pro.
Brian played 12 games with the Lincoln Stars in 2004-05 after he earned Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey Award.
O’Handley believes some day soon the two will be playing against each other.
John likes that idea.
"To get drafted last year was a huge honor. But there is a lot of hard work left to do to get there, " Lee said. "I thought we’d get a chance to play against each other in college. But that obviously won’t happen because Brian left North Dakota early.
"But it would be unreal to play against him some day in the NHL."
GAME TRACKER
Chicago Steel vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
What: USHL Clark Cup playoffs, Game 2
When: Today, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Young Arena
Series to date: Waterloo took a 1-0 series lead Wednesday with a 4-1 victory.
The Black Hawks broke open a tight game with three goals, including two 13 seconds apart, by Siim Liivik and Blake Kessel in the third period. Nick Larson and Keegan Meuer also scored for Waterloo.
The Black Hawks held Chicago to 14 shots on net, and the Steel didn’t get on the scoreboard until the game’s final 22 seconds.
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