Ryker Lee (RW, R, 6’0″, 182, Madison Capitols, 11/08/2006, Michigan State)
Ryker Lee is a skilled, puck-dominant winger with legitimate top-six offensive potential at the National League level. He plays an aggressive, creative game with the puck, showing elite stickhandling, excellent offensive zone vision, and a strong motor in transition. While his edgework and spatial awareness allow him to generate scoring chances at a high rate, his current limitations—primarily straight-line speed, strength, and efficiency—must be addressed for his skill set to translate at the pro level.
Case For Drafting Ryker Lee:
- Elite Chance Generation and Creativity
Lee generates 2.8 Grade “A” scoring opportunities per game—an elite rate that reflects his ability to manipulate defenders and create space for both himself and his teammates. Whether via spin moves, east-west handling in tight, or subtle head and shoulder fakes, Lee consistently puts defenders on their heels. His 17% conversion rate on those chances is solid and suggests further upside as he refines shot selection and execution. - Quick Hands, Quick Brain
Few players in this class see the game as creatively as Lee. His 0.93 completed passes per game leading directly to a Grade “A” chance is one of the highest among USHL forwards despite an 86% pass completion rate that shows he attempts—and often connects on—difficult, high-leverage plays. His 3.9 takeaways per game also indicate exceptional anticipation and hand quickness on both sides of the puck. - High-End Puck Skills and Instinctive Offensive IQ
Lee thrives with the puck on his stick. He attacks defenders 1v1, beats pressure using cutbacks and delay tactics, and isn’t afraid to extend shifts to make a play. His 1.41 loose puck recoveries after shots per game points to strong offensive anticipation and spatial awareness. He creates time and space for linemates and frequently draws second defenders in coverage. - Agile and Deceptive
While Lee lacks separation speed in straight lines, his edgework, lateral agility, and change of direction are well above average. He regularly eludes defenders by changing pace and direction mid-rush and is highly effective pulling up at the top of the zone to delay and find trailing options. He’s comfortable attacking inside or cutting back to the outside when lanes collapse.
Case Against Drafting Ryker Lee:
- Lack of Straight-Line Speed and Explosiveness
Lee struggles to create separation or generate speed through the neutral zone. This is a recurring theme in multiple viewings. He gets denied at the blue line frequently when attempting zone entries with pace, and while he can recover with hands, higher levels will demand better north-south skating. This must improve for his transition game to translate. - Physically Undersized for Style of Play
He absorbs 0.9 hits per game—a high number, and likely a reflection of him holding onto pucks too long without the strength or explosiveness to escape. His 50/50 puck win rate is 49%, while engaging in 14 puck battles per game. This percentage can be viewed as both a positive and a negative, but either way these numbers suggest he’s getting pushed around and needs more mass, power, and explosiveness to be effective in traffic and along the wall. - Needs to Simplify His Game
Lee has 7 giveaways per game, which is well above acceptable. While many are tied to his creativity and confidence in his puck skills, he’s often trying to do too much—whether it’s forcing plays into traffic or extending shifts unnecessarily. His offensive instincts are strong, but his efficiency must improve. - Not Trusted Defensively
He averages just 0:02 of penalty kill time per game and isn’t relied upon in his own zone. He’ll need to improve defensive reads, stick discipline, and compete without the puck to round out his game. Right now, he projects more as an offensive specialist.
Projection & Recommendation:
NHL Projection: Middle-six, offensive-zone winger with power play potential. Risk-reward type who will need to earn trust defensively and develop a more efficient, north-south game to earn NHL minutes.
Draft Range: Late 2nd – early 3rd round
Comparable: Victor Olofsson
Development Timeline: 3–4 years, NCAA track will give him time to fill out physically and refine habits
Final Recommendation:
Target Ryker Lee in the middle of the 2nd round as a projectable top-six winger with elite hands, creativity, and scoring chance generation. He’s a bet on skill and hockey sense—two traits that can’t be taught. If he can round out his stride mechanics and add 10–15 pounds of lean mass, he could be a breakout candidate at the NCAA level who makes an NHL impact directly out of college hockey. Lee plays the type of imaginative, puck-dominant game that can become a valuable asset in today’s speed-and-skill NHL, but only if his skating and physical play catch up to his processing speed and offensive toolkit.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images