Ryan Leonard has decided to return to Boston College for his sophomore season instead of joining the Washington Capitals for the playoffs. The decision was confirmed by general manager Brian McClellan on Wednesday, who praised Leonard’s progress during his freshman year at Boston College.
Despite speculation on social media suggesting that Leonard might change his mind and join the Capitals, he decided to stay in college in Boston. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound winger had an impressive season with 60 points in 41 games for the Eagles, helping them reach the Frozen Four. Although he will not be joining the Capitals, Leonard’s decision to return to Boston College will allow him to continue playing alongside his teammates and chase a national championship.
Leonard was the eighth overall pick in last year’s draft and had an outstanding season with Boston College. He set program records for goals scored by a freshman and ranked third in the NCAA in goals scored. While he could have followed the path of other young players making their NHL postseason debut, he chose to focus on his development in college. His decision to prioritize development at the NCAA level will likely shape his future success in professional hockey.
Another player who had a successful season in college hockey recently signed with Anaheim and is expected to make his debut for the Ducks in their upcoming game. It will be exciting to see how Leonard progresses in his second year at Boston College and how his decision to prioritize development at the NCAA level will impact his future career prospects.
Overall, it is clear that Ryan Leonard has made a wise choice by returning to Boston College for another season of college hockey before heading into professional hockey. The Capitals and their fans will undoubtedly be excited to watch as Ryan Leonard continues to grow and build on his successful first season with Boston College.