Ryan Leonard (born January 21, 2005) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a forward 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.
Playing career
College Leonard began his college ice hockey at Boston College during the 2023–24 season. 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. 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. He was also named a Hobey Hat Trick finalist for the 2025 Hobey Baker Award, and a AHCA East First Team All-American.
Professional On March 31, 2025, Leonard signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals. 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. Leonard scored his first career goal, an empty netter, on April 4, in a 5–3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
On September 15, 2026, the Capitals signed Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension, carrying an average annual value of $10.5 million.https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2026/09/15/ryan-leonard-contract-washington-capitals-eight-year-extension/
International play
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. 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.
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. 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. He helped win back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship for the first time in history.
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.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs 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 2025–26 Washington Capitals NHL 75 20 25 45 47 — — — — —NHL totals 84 21 25 46 58 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 2026 United States WC 8th 8 3 2 5 10Junior totals 27 21 18 39 26Senior totals 14 3 3 6 12
Awards and honors Award Year RefCollege All-Hockey East Hockey East Second Team2024 Hockey East All-Rookie Team AHCA East Second Team All-American All-Hockey East First Team2025 Hockey East Three-Stars Award Hockey East Scoring Champion Hockey East Player of the Year AHCA East First Team All-American International IIHF World Junior Championship best forward 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Most Valuable Player 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Media All-Star team 2025
References
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