CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Ryan Leonard has to shake hands carefully right now.
Leonard, a Capitals prospect whose skill and promise make him a potential future star in Washington, was sporting a splint on his right hand, holding his middle and ring fingers together, after a Boston College game earlier this month. It wasn’t from that night’s 6-1 win over New Hampshire, though.
“No,” he said, when asked about the timing of the injury. “Last Friday.” Which meant he’d been playing for the better part of three games with a broken finger — and has racked up two goals and two assists in that span. Three days later, [Leonard’s stat line](https://bceagles.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/ryan-leonard/17221) jumped to three goals and four assists in four games with the injury, after a three-point night [in the Beanpot consolation game against Harvard](https://bceagles.com/boxscore.aspx?id=24795&path=mhockey).
Leonard’s Eagles [are the No. 1 team in the country with just a month remaining in the regular season](https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/icehockey-men/d1/uschocom), so the 19-year-old freshman has much bigger things on his mind than a simple injury.
“We’ve always said that No. 1 doesn’t really mean anything right now,” Leonard said. “We want to be number one at the end of the year. Being No. 1 right now, we’re putting ourselves in a good spot for the end of the year and our [NCAA tournament] bracket, but it’s kind of just all noise, honestly. We’re just trying to prove ourselves and make sure that we’re the best team in the country.”
I can’t wait to have Leonard and Wilson on the same team. r/hockey may implode.
Beanpole853
Can’t wait to see him and Miro on the ice together
alwaysjetlagged
“I love him because he’s competitive — so competitive. You talk to guys at the next level, that’s what separates guys or gets guys there.” – UNH Coach Mike Souza.
That competitiveness is what I’m most excited about. That, combined with his skill, is what will hopefully make him a decade-long impact player for the Caps.
6 Comments
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Ryan Leonard has to shake hands carefully right now.
Leonard, a Capitals prospect whose skill and promise make him a potential future star in Washington, was sporting a splint on his right hand, holding his middle and ring fingers together, after a Boston College game earlier this month. It wasn’t from that night’s 6-1 win over New Hampshire, though.
“No,” he said, when asked about the timing of the injury. “Last Friday.” Which meant he’d been playing for the better part of three games with a broken finger — and has racked up two goals and two assists in that span. Three days later, [Leonard’s stat line](https://bceagles.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/ryan-leonard/17221) jumped to three goals and four assists in four games with the injury, after a three-point night [in the Beanpot consolation game against Harvard](https://bceagles.com/boxscore.aspx?id=24795&path=mhockey).
Hockey players are known for playing through injuries, but it’s nonetheless fitting that Leonard, noted for his physicality, competitive drive and sheer force of will when the Capitals [drafted him at No. 8](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/28/ryan-leonard-washington-capitals-nhl-draft/?itid=lk_inline_manual_7) overall in 2023, hasn’t let his finger be a hindrance.
Leonard’s Eagles [are the No. 1 team in the country with just a month remaining in the regular season](https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/icehockey-men/d1/uschocom), so the 19-year-old freshman has much bigger things on his mind than a simple injury.
“We’ve always said that No. 1 doesn’t really mean anything right now,” Leonard said. “We want to be number one at the end of the year. Being No. 1 right now, we’re putting ourselves in a good spot for the end of the year and our [NCAA tournament] bracket, but it’s kind of just all noise, honestly. We’re just trying to prove ourselves and make sure that we’re the best team in the country.”
[Read the full story here, and skip the paywall with email registration.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/02/16/ryan-leonard-caps-prospect-boston-college/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)
nice
He gives strong Wilson combined with Oshie vibes.
I can’t wait to have Leonard and Wilson on the same team. r/hockey may implode.
Can’t wait to see him and Miro on the ice together
“I love him because he’s competitive — so competitive. You talk to guys at the next level, that’s what separates guys or gets guys there.” – UNH Coach Mike Souza.
That competitiveness is what I’m most excited about. That, combined with his skill, is what will hopefully make him a decade-long impact player for the Caps.