Capitals Ryan Leonard first round pick makes decision on his future
Washington Capitals selected Ryan Leonard 8th overall during the 2023 NHL Draft. The Capitals were hoping to have Leonard signed to an entry level contract by now but the young prospect has other business to attend to. Leonard wants to return to Boston College to capture the NCAA Championship that his team lost when they failed to beat Denver.
Leonard spoke to the media during the Washington Capitals Development camp, revealing that Washington GM Brian MacLellan approached Leonard to join the team in late April a day after the Caps beat the Flyers in Game 82.
«That night when it happened, I didn't go to sleep til probably 3 or 4 in the morning, and I had class the next day,» Leonard said
«I just had no idea what to do.»
Leonard talked to his family and leaned on his brother John, a veteran of 70 NHL games, to guide him on what to do. He made a pros and cons list, eventually deciding to return to college for his sophomore season.«I just had no idea what to do.»
Leonard admitted if things went different during the NCAA national championship game and Boston came out victorious, he would have strongly considered signing his entry level deal with the Capitals.
«We have some unfinished business, honestly,» Leonard said to NHL.com. «Maybe if our game against Denver goes the other way, it could have been a little bit different and I could have played the end of the season with the Capitals. But Washington has been really supportive. They told me whenever I was ready, they'd be grateful and happy. Leaving my team after losing that last game against Denver was just something I couldn't do.»
«My whole plan the whole time was two years and then come [to Washington], but I had no idea they were actually going to offer me (a contract),» Leonard said. «I thought, like, that was the plan from the start that I set last year.»
He added though, «I want to be a part of the team that wins Boston College another national championship.»
«My whole plan the whole time was two years and then come [to Washington], but I had no idea they were actually going to offer me (a contract),» Leonard said. «I thought, like, that was the plan from the start that I set last year.»
He added though, «I want to be a part of the team that wins Boston College another national championship.»
The 19 year old, scored 31 goals and 60 points in 41 games during his freshman year at Boston College. His 31 goals broke the Boston College record for most goals by a freshman, overtaking Brian Gionta's mark of 30 set in 1998.
Source: HockeyDB
| POLL | ||
What will Ryan Leonard develop into? | ||
| First line player | 9 | 16.7 % |
| Top six forward | 22 | 40.7 % |
| Top nine | 12 | 22.2 % |
| Fringe NHL/AHL player | 11 | 20.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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