As the New York Islanders prepare for Brock Nelson’s first game back at UBS Arena since last season’s trade, captain Anders Lee offered a thoughtful and heartfelt reflection on what the night will mean for the locker room, the fans, and the organization.
Lee said he started the morning with a light moment, asking Nelson what the visitors’ room looked like. Neither had ever stepped inside before. It was a small reminder of how long Nelson called Long Island home, and how strange it will feel to see him walk into the building from the opposite hallway.
But beyond the humor, Lee made clear just how impactful Nelson was to the team. He noted that the Avalanche comes in as one of the NHL’s best teams, making Thursday’s matchup a challenge, but the night will still carry an unmistakable emotional weight. Lee emphasized that Nelson meant “a lot to this room and a lot to this organization,” pointing to the many moments, big goals, quiet leadership, and day-to-day consistency that shaped Nelson’s 12 years with the Islanders.
“He grew up here,” Lee reflected, describing how teammates watched Nelson evolve from a young first-round pick into one of the franchise’s most dependable scorers. It is that shared history that will make Thursday feel different from the meeting earlier this season in Colorado. Facing Nelson on the road was odd, Lee said, but seeing him return to the very ice where his career blossomed will heighten the emotions.
Lee expects a warm reception from Islanders fans, who will finally have the chance to show their appreciation after Nelson’s trade last season. For Lee and the rest of the team, the night will be both a reunion and a reminder—of loyalty, of longevity, and of what Nelson meant to the crest.
“It’ll be a good night,” Lee said, one that blends competition with gratitude.