Ryan Leonard (ice hockey)

Ryan Leonard
Leonard playing for the U.S. NTDP in 2023
Born	(2005-01-21) January 21, 2005 (age 20) Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position	Forward
Shoots	Right
NHL team	Washington Capitals
National team	United States
NHL draft	8th overall, 2023 Washington Capitals
Playing career	2025–present

Ryan Leonard (born January 21, 2005) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected eighth overall by the Capitals in the 2023 NHL entry draft. He played college ice hockey at Boston College. ^[1]

Playing career

College

Leonard began his college ice hockey at Boston College during the 2023–24 season. ^{[2] [3]} During his freshman year he recorded 31 goals and 29 assists in 41 games. Following the season he was named to the All-Hockey East Second Team, Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and an AHCA East Second Team All-American.

During the 2024–25 season, in his sophomore year, he recorded 30 goals and 19 assists in 37 games. He led the NCAA in goals, and became the first player with consecutive 30-goal seasons since Cam Atkinson in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons. ^[4] During conference play he led Hockey East in goals (25), points (37), points per game (1.54), shots (116), game-winning goals (8), and plus-minus (+25). Following the season he was named to the All-Hockey East First Team, the Hockey East Scoring Champion, Hockey East Player of the Year, and won the Hockey East Three-Stars Award. ^[5] He was also named a Hobey Hat Trick finalist for the 2025 Hobey Baker Award, and a AHCA East First Team All-American. ^{[6] [7]}

Professional

On March 31, 2025, Leonard signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals. ^[8] He made his NHL debut the next day in a game against the Boston Bruins with many of his former Boston College teammates in attendance. ^[9] Leonard scored his first career goal, an empty netter, on April 4, in a 5–3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. ^[10]

International play

Medal record
Representing   United States
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2024 Sweden
	2025 Canada
World U18 Championships
	2023 Switzerland
	2022 Germany

Leonard represented the United States under-18 team at the 2022 World U18 Championships, where he recorded five goals and one assist in six games and won a silver medal. ^[11] He again represented the United States at the 2023 World U18 Championships, where he recorded eight goals and nine assists in seven games. He scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the championship game against Sweden under-18 team to help win a gold medal. ^[12]

On December 16, 2023, Leonard was named to the United States junior team to compete at the 2024 World Junior Championships. During the tournament he recorded three goals and three assists in seven games and won a gold medal. ^[13] He again represented the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championships, where he served as team captain and recorded five goals and five assists in seven games and won a gold medal. He was subsequently named the inaugural Murray Costello World Junior Championship MVP award winner. ^[14] He helped win back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship for the first time in history. ^[15]

Personal life

Leonard was born to parents John and Cindy Leonard. He has three siblings. His brother, John, is a professional ice hockey player. His father, John Sr., was an assistant coach for the UMass Minutemen basketball team between 2001 and 2005. ^[16]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2021–22	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		33	10	5	15	22		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		17	11	9	20	18		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Boston College	HE		41	31	29	60	38		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Boston College	HE		37	30	19	49	46		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Washington Capitals	NHL		9	1	0	1	11		8	0	1	1	2
NHL totals				9	1	0	1	11		8	0	1	1	2

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2022	United States	U18			6	5	1	6	6
2023	United States	U18			7	8	9	17	4
2024	United States	WJC			7	3	3	6	4
2024	United States	WC	5th		6	0	1	1	2
2025	United States	WJC			7	5	5	10	12
Junior totals					27	21	18	39	26
Senior totals					6	0	1	1	2

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
College
All-Hockey East Hockey East Second Team	2024	[17]
Hockey East All-Rookie Team		[18]
AHCA East Second Team All-American		[19]
All-Hockey East First Team	2025	[20]
Hockey East Three-Stars Award		[21]
Hockey East Scoring Champion
Hockey East Player of the Year
AHCA East First Team All-American		[22]
International
IIHF World Junior Championship best forward	2025	[14]
IIHF World Junior Championship Most Valuable Player	2025
IIHF World Junior Championship Media All-Star team	2025

References

1. Wilken, Shawn (June 28, 2023). "Washington Capitals Draft Ryan Leonard 8th Overall". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
2. Grabowski, Kyle (August 1, 2021). "Amherst native Ryan Leonard commits to Boston College hockey". Daily Hampshire Gazette . Retrieved May 1, 2023.
3. Grabowski, Kyle (June 27, 2023). "Western Mass. hasn't seen an NHL Draft prospect like Ryan Leonard since all-star Bill Guerin". Daily Hampshire Gazette . Retrieved June 28, 2023.
4. "After 61 goals in two seasons at Boston College, Leonard signs NHL contract with Capitals". USCHO.com. March 31, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
5. "Leonard Named Hockey East Player of the Year; Four Eagles Named First Team All-Stars". bceagles.com. March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
6. "Wild's Buium, Capitals' Leonard, Lightning's Howard named Hobey Baker 'Hat Trick Finalists'". Sportsnet . April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
7. "Howard, Fowler and Alumni Earn College Hockey's Top Honors's Buium, Capitals' Leonard, Lightning's Howard named Hobey Baker 'Hat Trick Finalists'". USHL.com. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
8. "Capitals Sign Ryan Leonard". NHL.com. March 31, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
9. Kulesa, Anna (April 1, 2025). "Leonard's Boston College teammates cheer forward during NHL debut for Capitals". NHL.com. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
10. "Ovechkin scores twice to tie Gretzky's NHL goals record at 894 as the Capitals beat the Blackhawks". ESPN. April 4, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
11. Grabowski, Kyle (June 27, 2023). "Call him 'goal-oriented': Amherst hockey prodigy Ryan Leonard likely a top 10 NHL Draft pick". Daily Hampshire Gazette . Retrieved June 28, 2023.
12. "Team USA Captures Gold Medal at U18 Men's World Championship". usahockeyntdp.com. May 8, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
13. Morreale, Mike G. (December 16, 2023). "Gauthier leads United States 2024 World Junior roster". NHL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
14. Aykroyd, Lucas (January 5, 2025). "Leonard named MVP". IIHF.com. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
15. Kimelman, Adam (January 6, 2025). "Leonard's leadership paves way for U.S. gold at WJC". NHL.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
16. "John Leonard". umassathletics.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
17. "Hockey East Names 2023-24 Men's All-Star Teams". Hockey East. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
18. "Hockey East Names 2023-24 Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team". Hockey East. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
19. "Top 25 men's college hockey players earn distinction as CCM/AHCA Hockey All-Americans for 2023-24 season". USCHO.com. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
20. "Hockey East Names 2024-25 Men's All-Star Teams". Hockey East. March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
21. "Ryan Leonard Named Hockey East Player of the Year". Hockey East. March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
22. "Boston College leads way with four 2024-25 All-Americans". USCHO.com. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Ivan Miroshnichenko	Washington Capitals first round draft pick 2023	Succeeded by Terik Parascak