Exclusive: Anders Lee On Anthony Duclair, The Mental Roller Coaster Of A Lingering Injury
Former teammates weigh in on Martin’s return to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 16.
EAST MEADOW, NY — On Apr. 3, with eight games to go in the 2024-25 regular season, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair asked for and received an indefinite leave of absence from the team.
The 29-year-old’s inability to get back to his speedy game after tearing his groin in game five of the regular season must have been tough enough. Getting called out publicly by Patrick Roy for poor play and a lack of effort following their loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning seemed to be the dagger.
If anyone knows about the mental roller coaster of working their way back from a lingering injury, it’s team captain Anders Lee.
On March 12, 2021, Lee sustained an ACL injury against the New Jersey Devils, ending his season. Somehow, Lee was back on the ice skating three months later and was ready to go when the 2021-22 season began.
Despite his solid production over the last few years, Lee is flying around the rink this season. He’s skating like he did before that devastating injury, which has made him way more effective, leading to his highest point total (51 through 76 GP) since his 50 points in 2022-23 (82 GP).
I sat down with Lee to discuss Duclair and the mental aspect of working your way back: