Washington Capitals prospects Ryan Leonard and Ryan Chesley achieved a huge milestone in their careers when they helped Team USA win the 2024 World Junior Championship in January.
Leonard had six points (3g, 3a) in seven games during the tournament, including a tally in the United States’ 6-2 win against Sweden in the championship game. From the backend, Chesley added four points (1g, 3a) and finished a plus-nine. He was an alternate captain of the team.
Not only were Leonard, Chesley, and their teammates awarded the IIHF WJC trophy and gold medals for their efforts, but they were also given championship rings from Team USA in late July.
“Closing the chapter on Team USA’s 2024 World Juniors gold medal campaign with some bling 💍,” Team USA wrote on Instagram. “Now it’s time to chase our first-ever back-to-back titles, starting this week at the World Junior Summer Showcase!”
Leonard liked the photo on Instagram, but neither he nor Chesley posted any pics of themselves with the ring.
The front of the bling features the USA logo surrounded by white and blue stones along with the words WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONS engraved across the top and bottom.
The left band features each player’s last name, the word GOLDEN BOYS, and an icon of the IIHF trophy. The right features the tournament logo, an engraving of the final score of the gold-medal game, 6-2, and the mantra COUNTRY FIRST. On the inside of the band, the United States saluted all their gold medal-winning teams in WJC history from 2004, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2024.
The United States won all seven of their games in the 2024 World Junior Championship, including a 4-3 shootout win over Finland in the preliminary round. Leonard was named player of the game in the Americans’ second game of the tournament, a 6-5 overtime win over Team Canada.
The United States came out of Group B, which included Czechia, Norway, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Group A featured Canada, Finland, Germany, Latvia, and Sweden. The tournament was hosted in Gothenburg, Sweden from December 26, 2023, through January 5, 2024.
Cutter Gauthier led the Americans with 12 points (2g, 10a), tying Czechia’s Jiri Kulich for the most points in the tournament.
“This is everything we dreamed of,” Gauthier said per Team USA. “Ever since we lost that game last year, the ’04s, we’ve had this date marked on our calendars. In Sweden, against Sweden, in front of their crowd. It was so surreal. It was such a great feeling to get the job done.”
OH MAMA DON’T YOU CRY 🇺🇸#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/xHykoc1Jb9
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 5, 2024
The United States 2024 WJC roster featured 9 first-round picks, led by captain Rutger McGroarty. John Vanbiesbrouck was the team’s general manager and Steve Miller was head coach.
Team USA 2024 World Junior Championship roster
Forwards: Gavin Brindley, Quinn Finley, Cutter Gauthier, Gavin Hayes, Isaac Howard, Ryan Leonard, Rutger McGroarty, Oliver Moore, Frank Nazar III, Danny Nelson, Gabe Perreault, Will Smith, Jimmy Snuggerud, Carey Terrance
Defensemen: Zeev Buium, Seamus Casey, Ryan Chesley, Drew Fortescue, Lane Hutson, Aram Minnetian, Eric Pohlkamp, Sam Rinzel
Goaltenders: Trey Augustine, Jacob Fowler, Sam Hillebrandt
