Washington Capitals top prospect Ryan Leonard has earned more recognition for his incredible freshman NCAA regular season.
The 2023 first-round draft pick scored 25 goals for Boston College in 34 games, the fourth-highest total in the nation. Among freshmen, only the consensus number-one overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini, found the back of the net more times (29).
For his efforts, the 19-year-old winger was named to Hockey East’s All-Rookie Team on Wednesday. He is joined on the team by his two linemates Will Smith and Gabe Perreault and BC’s netminder Jacob Fowler.
Eagles take claim to four of six spots on the @hockey_east All-Rookie Team.
G: Jacob Fowler
F: Ryan Leonard
F: Gabe Perreault
F: Will Smith pic.twitter.com/5FycRzj63s— BC Men's Hockey (@BC_MHockey) March 14, 2024
Leonard ended up with 48 total points (25g, 23a) in 34 games for the Eagles. He had a 17-game point streak snapped in the final game of the regular season after firing a season-high seven shots on goal against Merrimack but not finding the scoresheet.
During that streak, he recorded 31 points (15g, 16a) and the Eagles won 12 games in a row in Hockey East play. With a win over New Hampshire on March 3, BC wrapped up their 18th Hockey East regular season title and their first since 2021.
Leonard’s impressive freshman season has members of the DC media already asking general manager Brian MacLellan when the Capitals plan to get the 19-year-old winger fully in their organization. Before he is able to consider any of that, he needs to get his first taste of college postseason play.
The number-one-ranked Eagles will take on the UConn Huskies in a Hockey East Tournament quarterfinal matchup on Saturday. Boston College earned a first-round bye with their 20-3-1 regular season conference record.
