The Washington Capitals have signed forward Ryan Leonard to a three year entry level contract that will carry an average annual value or AAV of $950,000. Leonard was selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
More on Leonard
Leonard is 20 years old and recorded 49 points in 37 games with Boston College this season with 30 goals and 19 assists. The six foot, 200 pound forward led the nation in goals in became the first NCAA player with back to back 30 goal seasons since Boston College's Cam Atkinson in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
In addition, Leonard led the NCAA in game winning goals with nine and ranked 10th in the country in points. He is one of 10 finalists for this year's Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the top NCAA men's ice hockey player in the nation.
The Amherst, Massachusetts native was also named Hockey East Player of the Year and a Hockey East First Team All Star after leading the conference in scoring.
During his freshman season at Boston College in 2023-24, Leonard registered 60 points in 41 games with 31 goals and 29 assists. Leonard led the team in plus/minus with a +35 and ranked second on the Eagles in goals with 29 and third in points with 58 during the regular season before adding six points in four NCAA Tournament games to help Boston College reach the National Championship game with four goals and two assists.
Leonard's 31 goals as a freshman set the program record for first year players and he became just the fourth Boston College freshman to record 60 points. Leonard finished the 2023-24 sason ranked third in the NCAA in goals and tied for fourth in points and was named a Second Team East All American by the American Hockey Coaches Association.
Leonard finishes his collegiate career with 109 points with 61 goals and 48 assists in 78 games played. In January, Leonard led Team USA to their second straight gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, the United States' first back to back World Junior gold medals in the history of the tournament.
Leonard was USA captain and was named the tournament MVP and Best Forward after recording 10 points with five goals and five assists in seven games. Leonard recorded two primary assists in the gold medal game against Finland to help the Americans overcome a 3-1 deficit en route to a 4-3 overtime win.
Leonard, a two time World Junior gold medalist, has recorded 16 points with eight goals and eight assists in 14 career World Junior games including eight points with four goals and four assists in six elimination games, five points with two goals and three assists in four medal round games and three points with one goal and two assists in two gold medal games.
Leonard also represented Team USA at the 2024 IIHF Men's World Championship where he appeared in six games and recorded one assist. As an 18 year old, Leonard won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2023 Under 18 World Championship, scoring the gold medal clinching goal in overtime against Sweden to give the United States their first Under 18 gold since 2017.
Leonard can make his debut on Tuesday night when the Caps take on the Boston Bruins. This signing was huge and it'll help the Caps stay loaded come playoff time. In the short term, Leonard gets a thrill ride of a lifetime. In the long term, he can turn out to be a baller with the puck. Welcome to the NHL, Leonard!