Ryan Leonard‘s freshman season is not over yet as Boston College ventures into the NCAA postseason. But regular season awards are being announced.
After being named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team last week, Leonard received more recognition for his incredible rookie campaign on Monday.
The Washington Capitals top prospect was named as one of three finalists for Hockey East Rookie of the Year. Leonard joins linemate Will Smith and the probable number-one overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini, in contention for the award.
The 2023 first-round draft pick has scored 26 goals for Boston College in 35 games, the fourth-highest total in the nation. Among freshmen, only Celebrini has found the back of the net more times (30). Leonard also has 49 total points on the season which ranks ninth in the NCAA and fourth among all freshmen behind Smith (58), Celebrini (55), and Gabe Perreault (50).
He scored his 26th marker against UConn in the quarterfinals of the Hockey East tournament on Saturday night. With just 12.1 seconds remaining in the second period, defenseman Eamon Powell sent a shot toward the net on a power play that Leonard deftly tipped by goaltender Arsenii Sergeev.
Leonard also recorded a team-high six shots on goal and received a roughing penalty in the 5-4 victory. His 26 goals rank tied for the third-highest total from a freshman in Boston College history. He is just one goal away from tying Chuck Kobasew (27) and Richie Smith (27) for second.
Former NHLer Brian Gionta currently holds the school’s all-time record in that category after potting 30 goals in 40 games back during the 1997-98 season. Leonard will have remaining games in the Hockey East tournament and NCAA tournament to try and track Gionta down.
Boston College will play in the semifinals against UMass on Friday. Leonard absolutely lit up the Minutemen in two regular season matchups, scoring five goals on ten shots on goal.
