The Washington Capitals invited Ashburn, Va. native Ryan Leibold to development camp and Leibold is looking to make an impression to his hometown team.
Leibold said it means a lot to be invited to development camp and that he played youth hockey at the Caps practice facility.
“I’ve always been on the outside looking in,” Leibold said. “It was always a dream to get on the other side of this wall (in the Caps’ locker room) one day.”
Leibold, 24, played in college four seasons at Holy Cross before transferring to Merrimack for the 2022-23 season. Leibold then signed a contract with the Caps’ ECHL affiliate the South Carolina Stingrays to finish the season. In South Carolina, Leibold registered four points in nine games.
Leibold said it was “awesome” to be in the organization. Leibold also knows that just because he is in South Carolina, doesn’t mean he can’t rise up the rankings.
“I think the emphasis this organization places on development is definitely part of the reason I chose to be in it,” Leibold said.
Leibold played youth hockey for the Ashburn Xtreme and the Little Caps. Leibold said he never played with Caps forward Joe Snively, but has trained with him.
Leibold, who grew up a Caps fan and started getting into hockey when the Caps drafted Alex Ovechkin, said his favorite memories as a fan include going to both the 2011 Winter Classic in Pittsburgh and the 2015 one at Nats park. He also attended the 2018 Stanley Cup Championship parade.
Leibold said he will remain in the organization next season as he has signed a contract with the Stingrays.
“If I can put myself in a good position to keep advancing through this organization, that’s what I want to do,” Leibold said.
