After a career spanning 14 years, SUNY Potsdam Hall of Famer Chris Lee has retired from professional hockey. On Monday, Lee’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) team Metallurg Magnitogorsk retired his No. 4 during a ceremony. (Watch the video above.)
Since graduating from SUNY Potsdam as an All-American and ranked 10th all-time in scoring in 2004, Lee has played in five professional leagues for 10 teams. He logged 962 games as a pro, including 154 in the postseason. Lee recorded 500 points (123g-377a) in the regular season and added 100 (29g-71a) more in the playoffs.
While the defenseman had plenty of the success in the ECHL, AHL, the German DEL and Swedish SHL, his finest years came with Magnitogorsk in the KHL. There, Lee helped his team to Gagarin Cup Championships in 2014 and 2016, scoring the Game 7 game-winner two years ago. From the blue line during the 2016-17 season, Lee totaled 65 points on 14 goals and 51 assists. The impressive play earned him a tryout with the Los Angeles Kings last fall and a chance to become the NHL’s oldest rookie ever.
The MacTier, Ontario native’s play all over the world attracted the attention of Team Canada and he donned the maple leaf in multiple international tournaments. Lee competed for his nation at the 2012 and 2016 Deutschland Cups, the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships and 2017 Karjala Cup. However, his proudest moment was playing for Team Canada at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February. Lee served as an alternate captain and totaled five assists as the Canadians claimed the bronze medal.
Chris Lee is one of the most talented and successful athletes to ever put on a Bears jersey and SUNY Potsdam is fortunate he made his way to the North Country. Congratulations on a great career Chris!
