The Washington Capitals practiced at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Monday morning before jumping on a plane at Dulles Airport, lifting off for Boston, Massachusetts at 2:31 pm. When they landed 1 hour and 13 minutes later, the team had gained a potentially game-changing player on their roster: 20-year-old, 2023 first-round pick Ryan Leonard.
Leonard, whose Boston College team was eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament a day before, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals announced at 1 pm as the team was traveling north for their 74th game of the 2024-25 season.
But while Capitals fans waited with bated breath for news of Leonard’s contract, the team’s players were well aware of what was going on and immediately made plans to hang out with their new rookie teammate even before he’d officially signed. For a team that frequently summons its “power of friendship” to come back late in games, assimilating Leonard onto the club was priority number one.
“Yeah, [Alex Ovechkin] texted me earlier in the day and just asked if I wanted to get sushi once they landed,” Leonard said to the Capitals’ Mike Vogel.
Though, Leonard admitted the message came at a chaotic time.
“I read [the text] in the (Conte Arena) locker room,” Leonard noted, the actual location where he put pen to paper on his new deal. “All the guys were in there. It was probably five to 10 minutes before I actually signed.”
Leonard’s Eagles teammates urged caution when replying to the text, as it came from an unknown number with the sender purporting themselves to be Alex Ovechkin — one of hockey’s greatest players who is five goals away from breaking the NHL goals record. Perhaps it could be a scam or an early April Fools’ joke.
“They were like, ‘What? I don’t know if you should respond to that,'” Leonard said. “I was like, ‘I kinda have to.’ It was pretty cool.”
Once Leonard was done making his NHL dream a reality, he made the 15-minute drive to meet the Capitals at a Boston-area sushi bar, trading stories and rubbing shoulders with players from the Eastern Conference’s best team.
“Just hanging out with those guys, it was pretty cool,” Leonard said.
But eating raw fish wasn’t all that was on the menu.
“Ovi wanted to see where I went to school, so (we) went there for probably 30 minutes to an hour, just to show him, and he loved it,” Leonard said.
Viral videos posted to social media also revealed the impromptu campus tour later included a stop at the local watering hole on Chestnut Hill Avenue, The Circle Tavern, best known for its pizza and drinks. Leonard was there with the Capitals and some of his Boston College teammates.
Alex Ovechkin singing Bandz a make her dance at ⭕️. I’ve seen it all pic.twitter.com/Hdxt9PHx2F
— 8 Man Suite (@CommitToBoB) April 1, 2025
During their stay, Ovechkin was filmed singing to Jakob Chychrun’s new goal song, “Bandz A Make Her Dance,” as the hockey players laughed and danced at the bar.
Videos of the the Caps/Eagles get together were shared widely online.
“Just to go to dinner with those guys and meet all those guys, I’m really just trying to embrace the moment and spend quality time with those guys,” Leonard said. “Not a lot of time you’re getting to go to dinner with one of the greats, so yeah, just trying to embrace it.”
— Cleveland Circle Chipotle (@NCAA84Overall) April 1, 2025
Tuesday, Leonard practiced with the Capitals for the first time and confirmed he would make his NHL debut against his hometown team, the Boston Bruins, at TD Garden.
Leonard’s arrival created a spectacle after practice as he was mobbed by media.
When asked if he enjoyed some of the spotlight being on someone else, Ovechkin told the press, “I think we all enjoy this moment. You guys enjoy it, fans enjoy it. So, how I say, just play, enjoy, and enjoy this situation.”
Puck drop for Leonard’s debut is at 7 pm.
