Ryan Leonard and Ryan Chesley make Team USA roster for World Juniors

The Washington Capitals have two really good prospects with the first name Ryan. Ryan Leonard hails from Boston College and was the Caps first round pick at eighth overall. Ryan Chesley was drafted at 37th overall in the second round by the Caps in 2022. Both will be representing the Capitals in the 2024 World Junior Championships in Sweden.

Leonard has recorded 18 points in 17 games at his freshman season in the NCAA with 10 goals and eight assists. The 18 year old ranks tied for first on Boston College in plus/minus with plus eight, second in goals with 10 and shots with 66 and fourth in points with 18.

He spent the 2022-23 season with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s Under 18 Team and recorded 94 points in 57 games with 51 goals and 43 assists. The six foot, 190 pound forward led the team in power play goals with 15 and shorthanded goals with three and ranked third in points.

In addition, Leonard ranked second in game winning goals with seven and plus/minus with a plus 77. At the 2023 Under 18 World Championships he won a gold medal with Team USA. He scored the medal clinching goal in overtime against Sweden which is where the World Juniors will be held.

Chesley is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota and has registered six points and a team high plus nine plus/minus rating in 18 games this season along with two goals and four assists. He earned a bronze medal with Team USA in the 2023 World Junior Championships.

This year will be the first time multiple Caps prospects have represented the United States at the World Junior Championship since Riley Barber, Connor Carrick, and Thomas Di Pauli skated for Team USA at the 2014 tournament in Malmo, Sweden.

The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden from Dec. 23, 2023 through Jan. 5, 2024. Team USA will begin play on Tuesday Dec. 26 at 11 a.m. eastern against Norway. You can catch the game on NHL Network if you live in the USA.