Lee named WHL Grad of the Month for February/March
Second year UBC defender played key role in CW title run
April 2, 2024 – The UBC Thunderbirds captured their first Canada West title in 53 years, with second year defender Jake Lee at the heart of the historic run. After an incredible playoff campaign that saw him lead the T-Birds at both ends of the ice, the former Kelowna Rockets star has been named the conference's Western Hockey League Grad of the Month for February/March.
The Sherwood Park, Alta. product proved himself as one of Canada West's elite two-way defenders this season, providing shutdown defence while leading the T-Birds in scoring with 34 points in 28 games during the regular season. That figure was the second highest mark among CW defenders, helping Lee earn a first team Canada West All-Star nod, as well as second team All-Canadian honours.
It was in the postseason where Lee's two-way game shone the brightest, as he was counted on to play a heavy work load due to UBC missing two of their top-four defenders. Lee played an average of 26:31 per game, far more than any of his teammates, while helping the Thunderbirds emerge victorious in a pair of hard fought series wins against Alberta and Calgary.
Lee finished the CW playoffs tied for second in scoring by a defenceman with four points in six games, with three of those coming on the power play.
His two-way prowess is nothing new to WHL followers, who saw it on full display during his tenure with the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kelowna Rockets. Lee put up 120 points during his five full seasons in the league, including a dynamite campaign with Kelowna in 2021-22 where he scored 16 goals, added 30 assists and finished +23. His 46 points that season placed him 12th in league scoring by a defenceman.
Lee is a Faculty of Arts student who is utilizing his WHL Scholarship to attend the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C. For each season played in the WHL, a player is awarded with a one-year post-secondary scholarship, which includes tuition, compulsory fees, and required textbooks. In partnership with Canada West universities, numerous WHL Scholarship recipients each year are also awarded additional financial assistance from their university to receive Western Canada’s Premier Hockey Scholarship.
Since 1993, the WHL has awarded over 7,500 scholarships to graduate players. The WHL is the leading supplier of hockey scholarships in Western Canada and offers one of the most comprehensive scholarships in North America.
WHL Grad of the Month
The WHL Grad of the Month is a partnership between the WHL and Canada West. CW coaches vote to select the winner each month. All nominees must have played at least one full season in the WHL and be in good standing in Canada West.
About Canada West
As the leading university athletic conference in the country, Canada West is home to student-athletes that excel in the classroom and their communities. The conference is comprised of 17 member institutions spanning from Victoria to Winnipeg, with over 3,200 student-athletes competing across 14 sports. Canada West’s mission is to train leaders and build champions by providing leadership in the delivery, regulation, and promotion of university level high performance sports programs throughout western Canada.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.