Ryan Leonard (ice hockey)

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]

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]

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]

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]