Defenseman Cam Lee is ready for the next step with the Penguins
Among the Penguins’ prospects on the blue line, Cam Lee was by far and away the organization’s most prolific producer.
He put up double-digits in points.
Twice.
Last fall, while most leagues in North America were on hiatus because of the pandemic, the Penguins loaned Lee to HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga. In 14 games, he posted a healthy 11 points (two goals, nine assists).
Beyond the obvious benefit of getting some professional experience, Lee, a native of Ferguson’s Cove, Nova Scotia, appreciated the life experience of being in a different country.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Lee, 24. “I think every hockey player should go over and play in Europe. It was just so eye-opening. The culture is so different, the lifestyle. Everything is so different. It really opens up your mind to see what the world is like. You feel more fortunate about things. You see how different everything is.”
Lee’s ability to produce didn’t seem to differ all that much once he returned to North America and debuted for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in February. Appearing in 31 of a possible 32 games, he led the team’s defensemen with 15 points (two goals, 13 assists).
The left-hander also displayed a willingness to put the puck on net. His 75 shots were third-most on the team.
“You’ve got to get the puck on net,” Lee said. “You can’t score if you don’t shoot it.”
An undrafted free agent signing out of Western Michigan in March of 2020, Lee’s most obvious attribute to the naked eye is his fleet skating. But during his first professional season, it was a learning process with regards as to when it was the right time to use his skating to create offensive chances.
“Last year was a big eye-opener for me,” Lee said. “I learned a lot through video and through the coaches. And even through the (veterans). Picking your spots, when it’s time and when it’s not. I took a big jump in that. I’m starting to understand the game more and the professional level more and more.”
“Cam just needs some more time,” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins coach J.D. Forrest said. “Coming from a college where he was able to dictate what’s going on the ice all the time and a little bit more freedom because of less consequences by being punished his opponent, last year was a really good learning situation for him. His first look at real pro hockey. He was able to kind of figure out the things from where he was before (and) how to get that to work in the (American Hockey League). Hopefully, we can see that in this (upcoming training camp here).”
It remains to be seen as to where Lee fits in for the 2021-22 season. The organization has a surplus of left-handed defensemen. P.O Joseph, a first-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in 2017, could very well open the season on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s roster once again just because of the numbers. That would likely mean Lee will find himself on the team’s second pairing, as was the case for much of last season.
A potential recall to the NHL roster for Lee would require considerable injuries or absences on the NHL roster — certainly a common occurrence for the Penguins in recent years — to create such an opportunity.
“I want to play the highest level possible, I want to play as long as I can,” Lee said. “But at the end of the day, whatever the team needs, I’ll be there for whatever it takes.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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