U.S. winger Ryan Leonard hopes to captain his country to an historic second straight gold medal at his final World Juniors in Ottawa, Canada.
photo: PHOTO: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / ANDRE RINGUETTE
Blowing a kiss. With that flamboyant act, Ryan Leonard left an indelible image in the U.S.’s 6-2 gold-medal victory over host Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. After scoring the fifth American goal late in the third period, the U.S. National Team Development Program product saluted the Gothenburg crowd in a Shakespearean manner.
It evoked memories of Jaromir Jagr’s famous salute after many of his 766 career NHL goals. Or even Boston Bruins legend Phil Esposito’s exaggerated bow to the fans after taking a tumble during the on-ice ceremonies before Game Five of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the USSR.
It evoked memories of Jaromir Jagr’s famous salute after many of his 766 career NHL goals. Or even Boston Bruins legend Phil Esposito’s exaggerated bow to the fans after taking a tumble during the on-ice ceremonies before Game Five of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the USSR.
The confident Leonard, 19, is back to serve as the U.S. captain at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa. Starring this year as a Boston College freshman in his native Massachusetts, the power forward with a shot-first mentality aims to help the U.S. win consecutive World Juniors for the first time ever. The Athletic suggested pre-tournament that Leonard could be the “best forward on the tournament’s best line” and top the scoring race.
About being named captain, Leonard told IIHF.com: “It's a true honor. We've all sacrificed a lot to come to this tournament, but it's for the right reasons. Representing your country on an international level in the sport you love is awesome, and I can't take it for granted.”
Skating alongside savvy Boston College teammates James Hagens and Gabe Perreault, who enjoyed four-point outings, Leonard chipped in an assist in a 10-4 tournament-opening romp over Germany on Boxing Day.
“Not a lot of people really get to play at their school, and then come over to these tournaments as a line,” said Leonard, who led all U.S. forwards with 19:19 of ice time. “It's a lot of fun, and we're very fortunate."
Returning head coach David Carle recognizes the special presence that his captain brings: “He's doing a great job of getting the group to feel comfortable around each other. You know, when things go sideways, on the bench you look to your leaders. The things he was saying there in the second period, I think, helped settle everyone down and get us back to work.”
Leonard belongs to a long tradition of highly skilled, agitating American forwards, from Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte in the 1990’s to Trevor Zegras and Matthew Tkachuk today.
The Amherst-born winger doesn’t shy away from such comparisons. He has likened his style not only to that of Tkachuk – who helped the Florida Panthers capture their first Stanley Cup this year – but also to Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, both recent Cup finalists.
Leonard carved out his first major slice of international history at the 2023 IIHF U18 Ice Hockey World Championship. Off the rush, he scored the overtime winner as the U.S. rallied from a two-goal deficit to down Sweden 3-2 in Basel, Switzerland.
About being named captain, Leonard told IIHF.com: “It's a true honor. We've all sacrificed a lot to come to this tournament, but it's for the right reasons. Representing your country on an international level in the sport you love is awesome, and I can't take it for granted.”
Skating alongside savvy Boston College teammates James Hagens and Gabe Perreault, who enjoyed four-point outings, Leonard chipped in an assist in a 10-4 tournament-opening romp over Germany on Boxing Day.
“Not a lot of people really get to play at their school, and then come over to these tournaments as a line,” said Leonard, who led all U.S. forwards with 19:19 of ice time. “It's a lot of fun, and we're very fortunate."
Returning head coach David Carle recognizes the special presence that his captain brings: “He's doing a great job of getting the group to feel comfortable around each other. You know, when things go sideways, on the bench you look to your leaders. The things he was saying there in the second period, I think, helped settle everyone down and get us back to work.”
Leonard belongs to a long tradition of highly skilled, agitating American forwards, from Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte in the 1990’s to Trevor Zegras and Matthew Tkachuk today.
The Amherst-born winger doesn’t shy away from such comparisons. He has likened his style not only to that of Tkachuk – who helped the Florida Panthers capture their first Stanley Cup this year – but also to Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, both recent Cup finalists.
Leonard carved out his first major slice of international history at the 2023 IIHF U18 Ice Hockey World Championship. Off the rush, he scored the overtime winner as the U.S. rallied from a two-goal deficit to down Sweden 3-2 in Basel, Switzerland.
That marked his second U18 medal after settling for silver at the 2022 tournament in Germany. Leonard also suited up for the U.S. at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championshp in Czechia, recording one assist in six games. It’s an impressive resume for the teen, who turns 20 on 21 January.
His pro prospects are likewise bright.
Drafted eighth overall by the Washington Capitals in 2023, Leonard would love to follow in the footsteps of other elite goal-scorers in the U.S. capital. That tradition goes beyond Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record of 894 goals.
For instance, in 1982, Washington’s Dennis Maruk became one of just 23 players in NHL history to his the 60-goal mark. In 1985, Bobby Carpenter – the father of longtime U.S. women’s national team star Alex Carpenter – became the first American to score 50 goals as he put up 53 in 1984-85. And Peter Bondra led the league in goals in both the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season (34) and 1997-1998 (52).
Of Washington’s communication with him so far this year, Leonard said with a grin: “They're supportive. I'll leave it at that.”
His pro prospects are likewise bright.
Drafted eighth overall by the Washington Capitals in 2023, Leonard would love to follow in the footsteps of other elite goal-scorers in the U.S. capital. That tradition goes beyond Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record of 894 goals.
For instance, in 1982, Washington’s Dennis Maruk became one of just 23 players in NHL history to his the 60-goal mark. In 1985, Bobby Carpenter – the father of longtime U.S. women’s national team star Alex Carpenter – became the first American to score 50 goals as he put up 53 in 1984-85. And Peter Bondra led the league in goals in both the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season (34) and 1997-1998 (52).
Of Washington’s communication with him so far this year, Leonard said with a grin: “They're supportive. I'll leave it at that.”
It’s premature to project that Leonard could someday contend for the Rocket Richard Trophy, but he’s trending well with a team-high 12 goals in 16 games for Boston College thus far.
Offensive blueliner Cole Hutson, who went 43rd overall to the Capitals in 2023, said: “He's one of the best players not in the NHL. His game style's one of a kind. He is a power forward that can do pretty much everything. I feel like he plays a little bit like Tom Wilson, but I think he's got a little bit more touch on him.”
Leonard’s physicality is an important area where he can show leadership. He’s one of nine U.S. players who weigh 91 kg (200 lb) or more. The Americans have the biggest team at these World Juniors with an average weight of 86 kg (190 lb) and height of 185 cm (6-foot-1). Some will argue that Canada’s 2025 roster is deeper overall or that Sweden has the edge on the blue line, but there’s no reason for the U.S. to get pushed around.
“It's pretty cool,” said Leonard. “We're really talented and really strong, so I guess we'll play a mean game for sure."
Getting some dynasty buzz going on archrival Canada’s home ice would mean a lot for Leonard and his teammates. The U.S. hasn’t won a men’s Olympic tournament since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” in Lake Placid. Its World Championship drought stretches all the way back to 1933. Earning two straight World Junior titles might spark hope that the aforementioned U.S. droughts could end soon.
If Leonard can plant a big smackeroo on the World Junior trophy on 5 January, it’ll truly be a happy ending in his final U20 act.
“You've got to take it one game at a time, just like we did last year,” Leonard said. “So hopefully we'll get the same result. But you can't really look too far ahead.”
Offensive blueliner Cole Hutson, who went 43rd overall to the Capitals in 2023, said: “He's one of the best players not in the NHL. His game style's one of a kind. He is a power forward that can do pretty much everything. I feel like he plays a little bit like Tom Wilson, but I think he's got a little bit more touch on him.”
Leonard’s physicality is an important area where he can show leadership. He’s one of nine U.S. players who weigh 91 kg (200 lb) or more. The Americans have the biggest team at these World Juniors with an average weight of 86 kg (190 lb) and height of 185 cm (6-foot-1). Some will argue that Canada’s 2025 roster is deeper overall or that Sweden has the edge on the blue line, but there’s no reason for the U.S. to get pushed around.
“It's pretty cool,” said Leonard. “We're really talented and really strong, so I guess we'll play a mean game for sure."
Getting some dynasty buzz going on archrival Canada’s home ice would mean a lot for Leonard and his teammates. The U.S. hasn’t won a men’s Olympic tournament since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” in Lake Placid. Its World Championship drought stretches all the way back to 1933. Earning two straight World Junior titles might spark hope that the aforementioned U.S. droughts could end soon.
If Leonard can plant a big smackeroo on the World Junior trophy on 5 January, it’ll truly be a happy ending in his final U20 act.
“You've got to take it one game at a time, just like we did last year,” Leonard said. “So hopefully we'll get the same result. But you can't really look too far ahead.”