Capitals select Ryan Leonard in first round of 2023 NHL Draft
Leonard was selected No. 8 overall by Washington
The Washington Capitals had a top-10 pick in the NHL Draft for the first time since 2007, as they were awarded the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s Draft Lottery.
With that pick, the Capitals took Ryan Leonard, a right wing out of the U-18 United States National Development Program.
Hailing from Northhampton, MA, Leonard is a Boston College commit who ended his 2022-23 season with a stellar offensive performance in the U18 World Championship for the USA.
In seven games, the forward finished with 17 points (8g, 9a) and scored the gold-medal winning goal over Sweden in overtime.
In 57 games for the U18 national team, Leonard totaled 94 points (51g, 43a), making him the third-best on the team.
Many had hoped that Washington would select Russian phenom Matvei Michkov, but he was taken by the Philadelphia Flyers at No. 7 overall, one pick before the Caps.
"It's even better that I'm staying in the red, white and blue, so really excited."
Ryan Leonard meets with the media for the first time after being selected 8th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2023 #NHLDraft.#CapsDraft | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/x47LKAKlWC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2023
