Nearly 2,000 miles from home, Andre Lee brought a piece of the Inland Empire to Rockford, Illinois - and he didn’t disappoint. Representing the Ontario Reign at the AHL All-Star festivities, Lee turned heads with a performance that blended skill, poise, and the kind of big-moment energy that’s been his calling card all season.
Lee got things rolling on Tuesday night in the puck control relay, opening the competition alongside Utica Comets forward Brian Halonen. It was a tight race from start to finish, with both skaters pushing the pace and setting the tone for the night. Lee held his own in the event, showcasing the smooth strides and stickhandling that have made him a standout with Ontario.
But it was in the accuracy shooting contest where Lee really flexed his finesse. He went 4-for-5 on the targets - a sharp display of precision under pressure. While he didn’t quite match the perfect 4-for-4 mark set by current Kings blueliner Brandt Clarke a few years back (yes, the same Clarke who did it with a black eye), Lee’s outing was still one of the highlights of the night.
Later, in the breakaway relay, Lee went one-on-one with Providence netminder Michael DiPietro. He tried to tuck a backhander past the left pad, but DiPietro stood tall and denied the attempt. Still, Lee’s creativity and confidence on the breakaway were on full display - the kind of look you want from a guy who’s not afraid to take the moment head-on.
Come Wednesday, it was time for the 3-on-3 round-robin tournament - a fast-paced, high-skill format that suits Lee’s game. He was quiet on the scoresheet in the Pacific Division’s opening win over the North, but that changed quickly in Game 2.
Lee found the back of the net with what turned out to be the game-winning goal, lifting the Pacific into the championship game. It was a clutch finish in a clutch moment - something Reign fans have grown used to seeing from him.
Although the Pacific stumbled in Game 3, getting blanked 4-0 by the Central Division, they got another crack at it in the championship game - and made it count. The Pacific bounced back with a 3-1 win in the rematch, taking home the AHL All-Star Challenge crown.
Lee’s final stat line? One goal - the game-winner that secured a spot in the title game.
Not a gaudy total, but a meaningful one. And if you're the Ontario Reign, you’re hoping that kind of timely production carries over into the spring.
Because when the lights are brightest, Andre Lee has a knack for showing up.