Anders Lee already believed Utah was the perfect fit for his family and career, but an unexpected Winter Classic surprise made his decision to join the Mammoth even more exciting.
Anders Lee already had plenty of reasons to believe his move to Utah was the right one.
The veteran forward wanted a fresh start for himself and his family, while the Utah Mammoth offered something equally important: a team he believes is on the verge of becoming a legitimate force in the Western Conference.
Then came an unexpected bonus.
Lee didn't even know Utah would host the Discover NHL Winter Classic when he signed his three-year, $16.2 million contract on July 1. He found out later that day that his new team would welcome the Colorado Avalanche to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Dec. 31 (6 p.m. ET; TNT).
As Heather Rule of NHL.com reported, Lee was immediately excited by the news.
"When I found out about that later that day, I was pretty pumped and excited," Lee said Monday. "What an awesome venue it's going to be. And what a great atmosphere playing a great team in Colorado."
For Lee, 36, it adds another intriguing chapter to what already represents one of the biggest changes of his career.
After spending all 14 of his NHL seasons with the New York Islanders — including six as captain — Lee is leaving the only organization he's ever known. He'll now begin a new chapter in Salt Lake City with a Mammoth team that believes its competitive window is beginning to open.
And Lee likes what he sees.
"It felt like a really good fit for me as a player and for my family," Lee said. "I think the team itself has proven that their window is opening, and it's right there. I thought they had a great season. They have a ton of firepower."
Utah went 43-33-6 last season and reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games in the Western Conference First Round.
The Mammoth weren't content to simply celebrate making the postseason, either. Along with signing Lee, Utah acquired veteran center Vincent Trocheck from the Rangers on July 1, adding even more experience to an offense Lee already believes can make noise.
For Lee, though, choosing Utah wasn't simply about hockey.
"It checked all the boxes for myself and for my family," Lee said. "We've been in one place for a long time. There's a lot that goes into making a change. You want to do everything you can to make sure that not only your career's in a good place, but so is your family."
That family component made the decision especially meaningful after more than a decade in New York.
Lee leaves the Islanders ranked fifth in franchise history in games played (923), fourth in goals (308) and 10th in points (549). He produced 42 points, including 19 goals, across all 82 games last season.
Now he'll take those leadership qualities to a young franchise building its identity in a new hockey market.
There are already familiar faces waiting for him.
Lee grew up playing hockey in Minnesota and crossed paths with fellow Minnesotan Nate Schmidt long before either reached Utah. He also played alongside Mammoth forwards Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller for the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
"Great to have him to lean on," Lee said of Schmidt.
Lee also brings considerable experience with NHL outdoor games. He played in the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium, scoring once in the Islanders' 6-5 overtime loss to the Rangers.
The Winter Classic, however, could offer something entirely different.
Rice-Eccles Stadium will provide a dramatic backdrop, with the mountains surrounding Salt Lake City and the downtown skyline creating an environment unlike most NHL venues.
For a player who already had every reason to believe Utah was the right destination, the Winter Classic is simply one more reason to look forward to what's next.
"You could tell pretty quickly the Salt Lake City and the Utah fans are very supportive," Lee said. "You can tell it's a strong community, and I'm looking forward to being a part of it."
