Getting to Know the Arizona Coyotes: Mike Lee

The Arizona Coyotes have been very active in their roster moves this past week and there are clearly more moves to come. It has been made clear that no one on the team is safe from being dealt as a rebuild is in full bloom. In a surprising turn of events, the Arizona Coyotes sent goaltender Devan Dubnyk packing for Minnesota last Thursday leaving an open goaltending spot to be filled. With Mark Visentin out with an injury, it seemed like Mike McKenna would be next in line for this position with his 21 game NHL resume. What seemed likely would ultimately be untrue.

Enter Mike Lee

The Arizona Coyotes organization decided to call up goaltender Mike Lee from the ECHL affiliate Gwinnett Gladiators on January 15th to fill the void left by the departure of Devan Dubnyk. This may not be a familiar name to most of you and that’s perfectly fine. Mike Lee does not have an NHL start in his repertoire of accolades and he is still a bit unknown. Howlin’ Hockey is here to introduce you to the new backup goalie.

The Humble Beginnings

Mike Lee had a very successful high school and collegiate hockey career. This Minnesota native attended Roseau High School in Roseau, Minnesota and was their goaltender from 2006-2008.  In the 2006-2007 season, Mike Lee was undefeated in all 12 games started, had a goals against of 0.75, and 6 shutouts. That following season Lee was 27-2 with a 1.10 goals against and 12 shutouts. He would ultimately lead the Roseau Rams to a state title.

That following year Mike Lee would play for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In that 2008-2009 season in the USHL, Lee would be 26-15-4 with a 2.40 goals against average and 3 shutouts. The Fargo Force would finish third in the Western Conference that year and ultimately fall to the Indiana Ice in the Clark Cup Finals.

The Emergence at St. Cloud State

Mike Lee began to break out during his collegiate career with the St. Cloud State Huskies from 2009-2012. In his first year with his new squad Lee was taking care of business. He posted a 12-9-3 (W-L-T) record and a 2.80 goals against average in the 2009 season. That following season Lee held a 12-14-4 record complimented with a 2.75 goals against. Finally in the 2011-2012 season with St. Cloud State, Mike Lee went 8-6-2 with a 2.23 goals against. Each season his goals against number improved with a big .50 drop from the 2010-2011 season to the 2011-2012 season. Mike Lee would also represent Team USA in the World Junior Championships in 2010 and win a gold medal.

Professional Career

Sep 15, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes galie Mike Lee (30) celebrates with goalie Mike Smith (41) after beating the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Lee’s life would ultimately change in the summer of 2009 as he was selected 91st overall in the NHL Entry Draft that year by the Phoenix Coyotes organization. This third round pick would end up being the first American goaltender taken in 2009. In 2012, Mike Lee would sign a three year entry level contract with the Coyotes to kick start his professional hockey career. Lee would flirt around between the AHL affiliate Portland Pirates and the ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators in his inaugural season in 2012. Lee would be 9-6-0 in the AHL with a .915 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average. In the ECHL, Mike Lee would be 14-12-1 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against. The following season (2013-2014) Lee would be limited to his time on the ice due to a hip injury. He would suit up for only one game with the Gladiators and five with the Pirates. In Gwinnett, Lee would post a 1-0-0 record with a .967 save percentage and a 1.01 goals against. For Portland, he would finish 0-2-1 with a .872 save percentage and a 3.81 goals against average.

This season, Mike Lee is 1-3-1 with the Gwinnett Gladiators which includes a .897 save percentage and 2.98 goals against. This is the first time Mike Lee has seen the light of the NHL besides preseason battles. While Mike Smith continues to regain his confidence and shape his form, Mike Lee will be right behind him for relief. It is unknown when Lee will eventually suit up for his first NHL start but the time spent with goaltending coach Sean Burke will only improve his future stock in this game.