RPI forward Jacob Lee has signed a one-year deal in Switzerland with HC Lugano, it was confirmed Wednesday.
Lee, a product of Owen Sound, Ont., just finished his fifth NCAA season, scoring 13 goals and adding seven assists for 20 points in 35 games with the Engineers. Across a total of 126 career NCAA games with RPI and Merrimack College, Lee collected 34 goals and 26 assists for 60 points.
Before making the jump to the collegiate level in 2020, Lee spent five seasons playing junior hockey (three with the GOJHL's Listowel Cyclones and two with the AJHL's Brooks Bandits). In his final season in 2019-20, while serving as the captain of the Bandits, Lee put up an impressive 32 goals and 42 assists for 74 points in 42 regular season games.
With Lee off to the NL (the top pro league in Switzerland), he could surprise some people when he steps out onto the ice. Having showcased an ability to put the puck in the back of the net, Lee will likely be even more dangerous with the larger ice surface, which is a good thing for HC Lugano.