Washington Capitals top prospect Ryan Leonard had the hockey world talking last week when he led the Boston College Eagles to two victories in the NCAA tournament.
The 2023 first-round draft selection had five points (4g, 1a) in the two games, sparking the Eagles to the program’s 26th Frozen Four appearance. Leonard was named the NCAA Providence Regional Most Outstanding Player after BC’s exciting 5-4 overtime win over the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
While the Capitals are engaged in a heated battle for one of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spots, head coach Spencer Carbery has kept an eye on Leonard and the rookie bench boss was impressed what he saw in the 2023 first-round pick’s two tournament games.
“(I) thought he was fantastic like everybody else that watched and tuned in,” Carbery said Thursday. “Just impactful, did a bunch of different things. He’s been a pleasure to watch from afar and the success that their teams had.
“He’s played such a large role in that, especially these games now where your season is on the line. To see him perform like that in two do-or-die situations was pretty impressive. We’re pulling for him and wishing him all of the luck in the world going into the Frozen Four.”
Leonard’s four goals in the wins gave him 31 total tallies on the season and propelled him above Brian Gionta (30) for BC’s all-time record for goals in a season by a freshman. Gionta had held the record since 1998 and players like Cam Atkinson, Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Johnny Gaudreau, Alex Tuch, and Matt Boldy have come through BC since then and been unable to usurp the title.
Leonard heads into St. Paul, Minnesota for the Frozen Four with 59 total points (31g, 28a) in 39 games this season. BC will play Michigan on April 11 for the opportunity to play in the 2024 National Championship. Michigan was the winner of the Maryland Heights Regional Final after taking down the North Dakota Fighting Hawks and Michigan State Spartans.
Carbery was asked if he’s been in contact with Leonard heading into the huge game at the Minnesota Wild’s Xcel Energy Center.
“I’m leaving him alone,” he said. “I texted him after the World Juniors but leaving him alone as they go through their run. We’ll save that for hopefully after they win the National Championship.”
The hope for the Capitals’ brass and the team’s fans will be that after Leonard’s postseason is over he’ll sign an entry-level contract with the Capitals. The thought will be that foregoing the rest of his college career might be more palatable for Leonard if the Eagles are to take home this year’s National Championship.
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan recently said that he would leave that decision up to Leonard, saying that when he was in Rookie Camp he was already ready to make the leap to the pros.
