GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- University of North Dakota men's hockey defenseman Brian Lee (So., Moorhead, Minn.) signed an NHL contract with the Ottawa Senators, according to a July 3 Senators on-line news release. Lee will forego his final two seasons of college eligibility at UND.

The 20-year old Lee had 26 points (2g, 24a) in 38 games this past season for UND. His 26 points ranked third among Fighting Sioux defensemen. In two years with UND, Lee had 53 points (6g, 47a).

Lee was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2005-06, when he played in 44 games and led UND defensemen with 27 points (4g, 23a). His 27 points tied for sixth-most by a UND rookie defenseman in school history.

Lee had a goal and assist in UND's Frozen Four semifinal loss to Boston College in 2006.

For the last three seasons, Lee played for the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championships, including the 2005 tournament that was held in Grand Forks, N.D.

Lee was selected in the first round (ninth overall) by the Ottawa Senators in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Only

Lee came to UND after a three-year high school career at Moorhead (Minn.) High School, where he led his team to three consecutive Minnesota high school state tournament appearances. He was the Associated Press Minnesota high school player of the year as a high school senior, and he was named Mr. Hockey in Minnesota after his senior year of high school. Lee graduated from Moorhead High School in 2005.