Boston College star winger Ryan Leonard signed an entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals on Monday and will join the Eastern Conference’s top team for their playoff run.
Leonard, 20, a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (top men’s Division I college hockey player), became available after the top-seeded Eagles were eliminated on Sunday by defending champion Denver in the second round of NCAA hockey tournament.
The Capitals are in Boston on Tuesday to face the Bruins. Leonard will wear No. 9.
The Capitals were relatively quiet at the trade deadline – adding Anthony Beauvillier – because Leonard was a possibility to join the team after his Boston College season was over.
Capitals owner Ted Leonsis called Leonard a winner.
‘Patience is a virtue and we have all watched Ryan in awe during his time at BC,’ he posted on X, formerly Twitter. ‘Shades of when Tom Wilson and John Carlson joined the Caps late in the season and for the playoffs!’
Here’s what to know about the signing of Ryan Leonard:
When was Ryan Leonard drafted?
The Capitals drafted Leonard in the first round (eighth overall) in 2023 after he had played two seasons for U.S. National Team Development Program in the United States Hockey League.
Ryan Leonard stats
Leonard played two seasons at Boston College, recording 61 goals and 48 assists in 78 games. He led NCAA Division I this season with 30 goals and nine game-winning goals.
He also won back-to-back gold medals with Team USA at the world junior hockey championship. He was captain of the most recent team and was named tournament MVP and top forward. He had 10 points in seven games, including two assists in the gold medal game.
Ryan Leonard height, weight
Ryan Leonard is 6-0, 200 pounds.
Ryan Leonard contract
He signed the standard three-year entry-level deal worth $950,000 a season with the opportunity to earn performance bonuses.
Recent Capitals moves
Washington has been busy since January, signing goalies Logan Thompson (six years, $35.1 million) and Charlie Lindgren (three years, $9 million) and defensemen Jakob Chychrun (eight years, $72 million) and Dylan McIlrath (two years, $1.6 million) to contract extensions.