Ryan Leonard will soon be back representing his country on the international stage but this time against men at the senior level.
USA Hockey announced Sunday morning that they have added nine players to their 2024 IIHF World Championship roster to complete the 23-man squad headed over to Czechia to compete for a gold medal. Leonard, the Washington Capitals’ top prospect is among them.
He joins Will Smith, his Boston College linemate, and Michigan State goaltender Trey Augustine as the lone college players selected to make the trip overseas months after they won gold for the USA at the most recent World Juniors in Sweden.
We've got our crew that's heading to Czechia. 🇺🇸#MensWorlds Roster Details → https://t.co/ui671zeqBv pic.twitter.com/yjM8mJtHZ0
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) May 5, 2024
Leonard wrapped up his outstanding freshman campaign with the Boston College Eagles in early April with a 2-0 loss to the Denver Pioneers in the national title game. The 19-year-old winger ended his first season in the NCAA with 60 points (31g, 29a) from 40 games, scoring the third most goals in the country.
His 31 tallies set a new all-time school record for most goals scored by a freshman. The previous record (30) had been held by Brian Gionta since 1998.
The Capitals attempted to secure Leonard’s signature on an entry-level NHL contract before the team’s first-round playoff matchup with the New York Rangers. The deal would have put an early end to Leonard’s NCAA career. He ultimately decided to return to college for his sophomore season.
Leonard now joins up with Team USA as they seek to become just the third set of Americans to win gold at a World Championship and the first since 1960. The team is currently training in Bratislava, Slovakia ahead of their lone tune-up game against Slovakia on Tuesday.
The Massachusetts native has represented his country on multiple occasions at the junior level, playing in the US National Development Team Program for two seasons before heading to college. In addition to his starring performance at the U20 tournament this past season, Leonard previously played in two U18 World Juniors for the US, scoring an overtime goal against Sweden to seal a gold medal in 2023.
Team USA officially opens their tournament in Ostrava, Czechia against Team Sweden on Friday. The US lost in the bronze medal game to Latvia last year.
This year’s team is stronger than many in the past as they prepare for the return of NHL players to the Olympics in 2026. Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren turned down his invitation to join Leonard on the team last week.
