By Scott Pattison /
Jeff Lee refuses to abandon his dream.
The Calgary native is determined to making his dream of playing pro hockey a reality.
The game, at times, is about overcoming adversity, regardless if you’re riding a team bus or plane.
Playing for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks hockey team in 2006, everything seemed to be falling into place for the young hockey player.
He was achieving an education in the classroom and on the ice. Lee’s Alaska experience was made even more special by the fact he was sharing it with his older brother, Aaron, who was also attending the northern U.S. post-secondary school.
Jeff had a coach (Travis McMillan) who was big on developing young players, and helping them to hone their skill sets, while transforming them into two-way players.
And then the wheels on the proverbial bus fell off.
A new coach, Doc DelCastillo, was hired at Fairbanks, who brought a different hockey philosophy to the rink, and a game plan that didn’t include Lee.
“DelCastillo came in and wasn’t too big on me,” recalled Lee. “He made it clear at the start of this year that I was a younger player for the college level, and I really should still be refining my skills at a lower level.
“He told me he was going to give the older players more ice time, and less to younger guys like me.”
Lee found himself in a predicament: remain and see less ice time, and potentially compromise his hockey development, or explore other hockey options, and thus say good-bye to an opportunity to attend university with his brother.
Lee decided the pursuit of his dream was equally important, and decided to put out
some feelers.
He got a bite from Edmonton Oil Kings’ general manager Bob Green.
“As a hockey player and an individual, I always want to improve and get better, so I began looking for other options to continue my hockey career,” explained Lee, who joined the WHL’s newest franchise back in October 2007.
Lee admits his confidence was somewhat rattled when he first arrived in Edmonton, on the heels of the unfortunate circumstances that saw him leave the University of Alaska.
“The Oil Kings seemed to be the best fit for me at the time,” said Lee, who has settled into his roles with the club since signing with the club close to five months ago. “I heard plenty of good things about the organization.
“When I signed here, I was looking for a place where the team was competitive, they had a roster spot available, and where I felt I would get solid minutes and help the team achieve
their goals.
“In retrospect, I like playing here a lot — the team is awesome. It was hard on my confidence level at first, but the chemistry is coming back, and I’m beginning to feel comfortable here.”
And why shouldn’t he? Built for speed and creating turnovers off the forecheck, Lee, at 6-2 and 215 pounds, is getting penciled in on the team’s top line and PK unit with regularity.
His tireless work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed by Oil Kings head coach Steve Pleau.
“We are extremely happy with Jeff’s work ethic, his level of competition and his ability to create offence off the forecheck,” noted Pleau.
“He uses his speed and his size very effectively. Jeff can provide leadership and experience for our hockey club. He works on a daily basis and continues to improve.”
And although the lanky winger has yet to rediscover his scoring touch — he’s hit the post on four breakaways to date — occasionally playing on a line with one the WHL’s budding stars, Tomas Vincour, (14-18-32) and Brenden Dowd (11-18-29), is bound to eventually have an impact on Lee’s offensive numbers (2-6-8).
Most importantly, however, Lee has found the hockey development and direction he’s been looking for all along.
“When I first got here, (Pleau and assistant coach Rocky Thompson) saw my strength in the corners and helped me to work on that part of my game,” said Lee.
“They’re utilizing me on offence ... using my speed. That’s something Rocky has talked to me about. He’s told me ‘you have great speed, but you’re not finishing right now.’ Nonetheless, you can still be a pro if you’re good in the corners and play good team D.
And like the pros he admires, including NHL greats like Jarome Iginla, Joe Sakic and young Ryan Getzlaf, Lee is prepared to ‘bring it’ on a nightly basis for the rest of the team’s 2007/08 inaugural junior hockey campaign.
“We’re really determined and focused, and this last 15 games we’re trying to continue to build a team identity,” he said. “We have a lot of respect for the team logo.
“I’m determined to concentrate on doing the small things — finishing hits, bringing grit to my game. Every puck battle, every second effort and going to the net with speed. I want to be a leader for this team.”
At 19, leadership is an intangible that could keep Lee in the mix next season as well. League rules stipulate teams can only keep three 20 years olds on the roster.
Green says he’s hoping Lee can finish strong this year, and fulfill that important veteran role on his team’s roster in 2008-09.
“A hockey team quite often develops an identity that takes on the characteristics of it’s leaders,” said Green, travelling with his team to Kamloops, where it was scheduled to open a five-game western swing that would see Edmonton also face-off against Kelowna, Chilliwack, Vancouver and Prince George, before returning home to face Tri-City on Feb. 27.
“Jeff has the leadership qualities that we’d like to rub off on our younger players as we move forward. If Jeff continues to play like he has, there’s a good chance he’ll be around for his final year of junior hockey as an Edmonton Oil King.”
Precisely what the kid needs — a break!
And Jeff’s dream lives on. |
