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NASHVILLE — In late April, Ryan Leonard scored the gold-medal goal for USA at the U18 World Cup. Less than two months later, he became the first-round NHL draft pick. While fulfilling a lifetime dream might not knock his golden goal off the top of Leonard’s lifetime achievement list, the sense of relief he felt at hearing his name brought him closer.
With their first top-10 pick since 2007, the Washington Capitals picked Leonard with eighth pick Wednesday night at the Bridgestone Arena, adding a talented, lithe winger who plays with clout to their potential pipeline.
Leonard, an 18-year-old member of the US national team’s development program who is transferring to Boston College, said he had no indication before the draft that he might end up with the Capitals.
“It’s even better that I’m staying in red, white and blue, so I’m really excited,” he said. “… I know [Washington] kinda suits my playstyle and [I] I can’t wait to get started.”
After picking #1 in the draft lottery, the Chicago Blackhawks, as expected, selected center Connor Bedard to start the draft. But the fans present didn’t have to wait long for the first surprise of the evening. With the second pick, the Anaheim Ducks passed consensus No. 2 contender Adam Fantilli and picked centermate Leo Carlsson, causing a stir in the crowd.
Russian winger Matvei Michkov, the wild card in this draft class, traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 7th place. Before the draft, the expectation was that Michkov wouldn’t slip any further than the Capitals in 8th, but the Flyers needed a chance before Washington was able to take on the risky and rewarding prospect.
The Capitals were faced with a decision. Leonard, center Dalibor Dvorsky and forward Zach Benson were in the running for picks between seventh and tenth – and Washington had a choice between the three. Assistant general manager Ross Mahoney, who directs the team’s amateur scouting, had reckoned Leonard would be off the field “two or three picks ahead” before it was the Capitals’ turn.
“Really glad Ryan was there,” he said.
Leonard, a 1.80 meter tall, 190 pound player, scored 51 goals in 57 games for the national team development program. In his two years on the roster, he’s scored 77 goals, ranking seventh all-time — and just two behind Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. His physicality and willingness to play boldly have drawn comparisons to Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk, one of the NHL’s top power forwards and a finalist for this season’s MVP award.
“[I’m] “The guy who always has energy,” Leonard said, “the guy who loves his engine and is always on the move.” I’m a winner. i love to win A pretty good leader too. I’m very excited.”
Leonard said he uses Tkachuk, Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman and Buffalo Sabers’ Alex Tuch as role models for his game and takes pieces from each player. He inherits the courage and ability to score from Tkachuk. Leonard is inspired by the way Hyman plays with talented players. At Edmonton, Hyman often lines up with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl — and Leonard, along with Will Smith (Wednesday’s fourth pick for San Jose) and Gabe Perreault (23rd for the New York Rangers) form one of the most prolific ranks in development team history. And from cloth Leonard takes corporeality; There is seldom a game in which he does not prevail.
But as a new capital, Leonard quickly realized there was a player in his new organization who fit the same mold.
“Tom Wilson,” Leonard said with a smile. “Tom Wilson, definitely. Tom Wilson. Definitive.”
Tkachuk was the star of the Panthers’ shocking Stanley Cup Finals run, and Mahoney envisions a similar path for Leonard.
“I also see him as the type of player that would be a really good playoff player,” Mahoney said. “If it gets a little tighter and it hits a little bit closer and harder and that intensity, I think he’ll excel even more in those situations.”
Leonard will be in Washington for the Capitals development camp starting Saturday, after which he will head to Boston College for his first varsity hockey season. A native of Amherst, Massachusetts, he had long dreamed of playing college hockey in Massachusetts – although he broke from family tradition and preferred BC to U-Mass.
It’s far too early to give a timeline as to when Leonard will make the leap to the pro ranks, but he said his initial plan is to play college hockey for two years.
Since picking defenseman Sasha Pokulok as the 14th pick in 2005, the Capitals had not made a first-round pick for a player in or going into college hockey; he never played in the NHL. But in recent years, the NCAA route has evolved into an increasingly powerful developer of high-end NHL talent. In the 2021 draft, four of the top five players were in college; In last year’s draft, the third and fifth picks remain in the college ranks.
Leonard has high expectations of himself when he arrives on campus, where he is joined by Smith, Perreault and three other teammates from their development team.
“First of all, I probably have to say that I’m going to win a national championship,” Leonard said. “I feel like that’s everyone’s goal. … [I want to] I have a good time no matter how many years I’ve been there and then I just adjusted to it.”