Will Smith, Leonard’s center and former National Team Development Program linemate, chose to leave BC after his freshman season and sign with the San Jose Sharks. Leonard did not follow. He wanted one more go with the Eagles alongside fellow sophomores Drew Fortescue, Jacob Fowler and Gabe Perreault, all NHL picks. Leonard did not regret it.

Amherst native Ryan Leonard will make his NHL debut against the Bruins in Washington's Top 6 on Tuesday night.

Leonard signed with the Caps on Monday after his season at Boston College ended. He will begin Tuesday’s game on a line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas.

Two days after wrapping up his career with the Boston College Eagles, Ryan Leonard will hit the ice for the Washington Capitals against the Bruins at TD Garden.

Leonard won a battle on the wall and then two races to loose pucks to keep the play alive before feeding Aliaksei Protas at the point, which began a tic-tac-toe passing sequence that led to Dylan Strome’s goal with 9:23 left in the game.

Ryan Leonard's whirlwind week, NFL rule changes, the two centers of the baseball universe, a Masters prelude, MLB power rankings, and more.

A right-shot winger, Leonard is a power forward who scored at will for Boston College. In his two years with the Eagles, Leonard had 61 goals in 78 games.

The Washington Capitals signed Boston College forward Ryan Leonard, and the New York Rangers signed his linemate, Gabe Perreault.

The Washington Capitals will see a special NHL debut in Boston, as Ryan Leonard is set to play in his first game against his hometown Bruins on Tuesday.