Ryan Leonard will be back in a Team USA sweater just a few short months after he represented the nation at the 2024 World Championship in Czechia.
Leonard was among 46 players that USA Hockey has chosen to play for the United States at the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase. The showcase, which Leonard also participated in last year, will take place at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, from July 26-August 3, and include practices and games against prospects from Canada, Sweden, and Finland.
The 46 Americans will start on two different teams – USA White and USA Blue – before being melded together into one team for their final three games. The Summer Showcase is held so national teams can evaluate players for the upcoming World Junior Championship.
Leonard is one of the oldest players being invited to the camp for the US after helping guide the national team to a gold medal at this past year’s World Junior Championship. The 19-year-old winger scored in Team USA’s 6-2 gold medal-winning game against Team Sweden.
After that international success, 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. He ended his first season in the NCAA with 60 points (31g, 29a) from 40 games, scoring the third most goals in the country.
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 in late April. The deal would have put an early end to Leonard’s NCAA career. He ultimately decided to return to college for his sophomore season and there has been no movement on that decision since.
Leonard’s involvement in this Team USA camp should not impact his availability for Capitals Development Camp as the club normally runs their camp a few weeks before things are planned to get underway in Michigan.
