Capitals draft Ryan Leonard 8th overall
The Washington Capitals chose Ryan Leonard with the 8th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Ryan Leonard
Position: Right wing
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 192 lbs
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Club: U.S. National Team Development Program
Nationality: 🇺🇸
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 5th among North American skaters
2022-23 stats
| GP | G | A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. NTDP | 57 | 51 | 43 |
| U18 Worlds | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Lauded for his versatility, Leonard is a budding two-way power forward who can slot in at all three positions up front.
Though he didn't crack the 100-point mark with the U.S. National Team Development Program this season like his talented linemates - fellow draft-eligible youngsters Gabe Perreault and Will Smith - Leonard was an integral part of the dominant trio that combined for 155 goals and 353 points. The high-energy spark plug paced the squad with 15 power-play goals and three shorthanded tallies while ranking second with 189 shots.
Leonard was cut from Team USA's world juniors camp, but he was a major factor at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship in April. He finished third in tournament scoring and netted the golden goal to help the U.S. ascend to the top of the podium for the first time since 2017.
NHL Central Scouting named Leonard the No. 5 North American skater in its final edition. He trailed only Smith as the second-highest-ranked U.S.-born player.
Leonard has committed to play at Boston College next season.
What they're saying
"Leonard is a versatile winger with a lot of elements to his game that an NHL coach will covet," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in May.
"He's a strong skater who competes well, with a direct style of play, and despite an average-sized frame, he shows no fear of engaging in physical play. ... Leonard may never truly stand out at either end of the ice, but he will never give a coach a reason to sit him and projects as a quality top-six wing."
"Leonard is a prospect that everyone likes," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler said. "It's impossible not to. ... He's a versatile, powerful, high-RPM player who makes things happen when he's on the ice and pulls teammates into the fight with his scrappy, competitive, never-stop style.
"He's not just the energy guy, though, either. He's got really quick side-to-side hands, a hard shot that rattles off of his stick, and quick crossover patterns that allow him to use those hands to get to places where he can look to shoot."
Click here to watch Leonard's highlights.