OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced today the club has signed defenceman Brian Lee to a two-year contract.

Lee, 22, has recorded two goals, one assist and eight penalty minutes in 18 games with the Senators this season, averaging 15:52 of time-on-ice per game. In 77 career National Hockey League games (all with the Senators) he has registered 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) while amassing 45 penalty minutes. In 31 AHL games with Binghamton this season, Lee has three goals, seven assists and 42 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning professional, Lee spent two seasons playing with the University of North Dakota, where he recorded six goals and 47 assists for 53 points in 82 career games. The defenceman represented the United States for three consecutive seasons at the world junior championship from 2005 to 2007.

A native of Moorhead, Minn., Lee was Ottawa’s first-round pick, ninth overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. ~ via Ottawa Senators

Finally! Some news of questionable importance! Instead of reading about how fortunate an flu-riddled Senators squad was to have clinched a point against the Maple Leafs, I can now expect the usual onslaught of polarizing discussion that accompanies the name Brian Lee. (Or as HNIC's Jeff Marek likes to refer to him, Brain Lee.)

Brian Lee is an important part of Ottawa's future!

We could have drafted either of Marc Staal or Anze Kopitar!

Blah... blah... blah...

Like Jared Cowen signing his entry level contract, Lee's extension should be regarded as a formality. (Ed. note: The only exception to this would be if Lee was signed to a one-way contract.) Lee was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st and he didn't exactly have a slew of leverage.

I wouldn't read too much into this one.

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