Ontario Reign Forward Andre Lee Reflects on His First AHL All-Star Appearance

There is always a first for everything.

For a player, it could be their first professional game. Their first professional goal. An NHL debut. Their first NHL goal or point. There are many as a player climbs the ranks of the professional hockey levels. For Ontario Reign forward Andre Lee, his 2025-26 breakout campaign led to his first AHL All-Star nod.

At the time of the All-Star roster announcements on January 14th, Lee led the Reign in goals (15) and points (27) while playing in 32 games. Although he was up with the LA Kings at the time of the announcements due to injuries on the roster, he would eventually be loaned back to the Reign nearly three weeks later. Knowing the words “all-star forward” would be placed in front of his name was a surreal moment for the 25-year-old.

“Pretty good,” said Lee, when asked what it felt like to be referred to as an All-Star. “I believe in myself and what I am capable of doing out there [on the ice]. I think over the years, it was going to come; it was just a matter of time. Putting in the work in the offseason definitely helped, but my mentality is to believe in myself and keep going every day. It’s going to make you a better player either way.”

Having a chance to play alongside fellow Pacific Division All-Stars such as Jayson Megna, Seth Griffith, and Tanner Laczynski, rather than having to play against them, was a nice change for Lee, even if it was for only a couple of days.

“It was fun getting to know them,” Lee said. “We play against them a lot. It was nice to put a face to their voice. You can see how good they are with what they are doing [on the ice].”

Being part of the All-Star festivities comes with its perks. Not only are you playing with some of the league’s best players and getting to know them on a personal level, but it also offers a chance for players to bond with your new teammates for 48 hours. One player Lee mentioned by name, who he bonded with and was taken under his wing, was the veteran Megna.

“I felt like I talked to everyone. Obviously, there were some Swedish guys there, like Calle Clang and Adam Engström. I talked to them a lot,” Said Lee. “But Megna really took care of me when we got there. He showed me where the bus is and stuff like that. You can see the leadership he’s had throughout the years. He’s a really nice guy.”

On day one, Lee participated in the puck control relay, accuracy shooting, and the breakaway relay challenges. He highlighted day one by going 4-for-5 in the accuracy shooting challenge. On day two, the All-Star game tournament, Lee scored one goal in four games (two four-minute periods of 3-on-3 each) as he and his Pacific Division teammates captured victory in the All-Star Challenge. It was the third time in four years the Pacific took home the honors of the event.

With it being his first time at the BMO Center in Rockford, Illinois, Lee raved about the building being “loud” and “packed.” Even though the Pacific Division claimed victory, Lee will always remember the experience and his family being in attendance.

“It was fun,” Lee said of his experience. “My favorite was the accuracy shooting. But, as a whole, it was a nice event too. I got to see my family. They came down for it, and we won the thing.”

Featured image credit: Megan Sanders/Ontario Reign

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