Anders Lee Closes the Book on His Islanders Captaincy
For Notre Dame alumni tracking their own in the NHL, this week carried a symbolic passing of the torch — and it happened on Long Island.
The New York Islanders officially named Bo Horvat their 16th captain in franchise history, ending the chapter that belonged to Anders Lee. The Notre Dame product had been the face of the Islanders' captaincy for years, but his tenure ended this offseason when he walked in free agency — landing a three-year deal worth $5.3 million annually with the Utah Mammoth, totaling $15.9 million.
It's a significant move for one of the Irish's most prominent NHL alumni. Lee spent the bulk of his career on Long Island, becoming a fan favorite and locker-room cornerstone before the Islanders parted ways with him this summer. Now, he heads to Utah as one of the marquee signings for a franchise still building its identity in a new market.
Horvat, a natural fit to inherit the C, becomes the first Islanders captain since Lee — and the Islanders made the announcement official this week, closing any lingering ambiguity about the team's leadership structure heading into the new season.
A Deep Irish Roster Across the League
Lee's move is the headline, but Notre Dame's footprint across the NHL remains impressively wide. The Irish have alumni suiting up from Boston to Edmonton, representing a pipeline that consistently stocks professional rosters.
Among the active names to watch this season: Jake Evans continues his role as a reliable two-way center with the Montreal Canadiens, while Kyle Palmieri remains in New York with the Islanders — a familiar face in a locker room now navigating post-Lee life. Bryan Rust brings veteran presence to Pittsburgh's forward corps, and Vincent Hinostroza gives the Florida Panthers depth at center as they look to stay competitive in the Atlantic.
On the blue line, Notre Dame is even better represented. Andrew Peeke and Drew Bavaro are both in Boston, Ian Cole and Landon Slaggert bring South Bend ties to Chicago, and Nick Leivermann is in Washington alongside goaltender Cal Petersen. Spencer Stastney rounds out the defensive contingent in Edmonton.
It's a roster sheet that would make any Irish fan proud — and with Lee now headlining a new franchise in Utah, Notre Dame's NHL presence only grows more visible heading into 2026–27.
This content is AI-generated by FanDaily.
AI-generated summary
