Ryan Leonard has decided to return to Boston College for his sophomore season in the NCAA.
The Washington Capitals released the news in the form of a statement from general manager Brian MacLellan. Leonard had the opportunity to join up with the Capitals for their playoff run this spring if he had signed an entry-level deal with the organization, foregoing the rest of his college eligibility.
“Ryan Leonard indicated his desire to return for his sophomore season at Boston College,” MacLellan said. “We support Ryan’s decision to return to one of the best programs in the nation to continue his development. Ryan showed great leadership and made tremendous progress during his first year, which saw him score the most goals by a freshman in Boston College program history and the third-most goals in the NCAA. We will continue to monitor his development and progress next year and look forward to watching Ryan build upon his successful freshman season.”
President of hockey operations & general manager Brian MacLellan today issued the following statement regarding Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard’s decision to return to Boston College for his sophomore season.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/66SVNbn4O5
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 17, 2024
The update comes just hours after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, in his usual spot on The Jeff Marek Show, relayed his belief that Leonard had plans to return to school for his sophomore year but that the Capitals were trying to convince him to do otherwise.
Heading into the Washington Capitals’ first-round series against the New York Rangers, Leonard — the team’s top prospect and the NCAA’s third-leading goal scorer — could have presumably stepped in and made an immediate impact.
For Washington, I think the Capitals want Ryan Leonard to play here. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have heard that there isn’t a decision one way or the other at this time and I think initially he was planning on going back to school but I think the Capitals want him to play and because he’s on their reserve list, he can play.
Leonard wrapped up his outstanding freshman campaign with the Boston College Eagles last week in a heartbreaking 2-0 loss to the Denver Pioneers in the national title game. The 19-year-old winger ended his first season with the Eagles with 60 points (31g, 29a) in 40 games.
His 31 tallies set a new all-time school record for the most goals scored by a freshman. The previous record (30) had been held by Brian Gionta since 1998.
“It’s always in the back of your head when you’re going to turn pro and when you’re going to take that next step,” Leonard said in early January. “The NHL is always going to be there, but I think college is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you never want to rush out of there and just want to soak it all in and see what you can make happen here.”
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said in early March that he would leave the final decision up to Leonard but also remarked that the young forward looked NHL-ready in Rookie Camp before he even played in his first NCAA game.
Head coach Spencer Carbery also kept a close eye on Leonard’s tournament games and planned to get in contact with him after the tournament concluded.
The decision will also rule Leonard out of helping the Hershey Bears try and repeat as Calder Cup champions in their playoff run. He’ll return to an Eagles team that should be favorites to return to the National Championship game.
