BOSTON — On Monday, Ryan Leonard was with his brothers. The 20-year-old was surrounded by teammates and friends inside their dressing room at Boston College’s Conte Forum, about to sign his three-year entry-level NHL contract, when his phone buzzed.
“Hey, it’s Ovi,” a text read.
It was Alex Ovechkin asking if he wanted to go out for sushi that night.
“I don’t know if you should respond to that,” one of Leonard’s BC teammates said, suspecting a trick.
“I kind of have to,” Leonard answered.
The day before, Leonard appeared in his final college hockey game. The Eagles lost to the University of Denver 3-1 in the regional final of the NCAA Tournament. It was the second straight year Leonard and BC lost to Denver.
For Leonard, the pain of losing his last NCAA game was tempered by the knowledge of what was to come: a professional contract and an NHL debut at TD Garden. For two seasons, the Amherst native had made the Garden his second home for Beanpots and Hockey East tournaments.
On Tuesday, it became the site of his first pro appearance.
As is custom with some clubs, Leonard went out first for pregame warmups for several rookie laps. He spotted several of his BC teammates pounding on the glass.
He was in the starting lineup next to Aliaksei Protas and Dylan Strome. Leonard played 14:14, missing the net with his only attempt.
“It’s definitely a lot faster than college,” Leonard said after the Capitals’ 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins. “Could have managed the puck a little bit better. Some bad turnovers. But I learned as the game went on.”
In the third period, Leonard’s retrieval off the boards helped the Capitals keep possession in the offensive zone. Moments later, Strome tucked in a close-range rebound off the end boards.
“I thought he was excellent,” coach Spencer Carbery said. “Liked his game. Bunch of different touches he had. He obviously plays a big factor on the goal, which was going to be the game winner. Liked his touches through the neutral zone. He was just off on a couple plays where he’s in an odd-man rush situation.”
Carbery noted that as a former NCAA player, Leonard had never participated in an NHL rookie or training camp. As such, Leonard had never played in a preseason game.
As for Tuesday’s debut, it was always a matter of when, not if, Leonard would pull on his No. 9 Capitals jersey. The hard-charging dynamo is designed for the NHL. He is a high-motor forward who takes just as much pleasure in dumping an opponent as he enjoys snapping shots past enemy goalies. The puck flies off his 80-flex stick.
Ryan Leonard laid a heavy check on Boston’s Jeffrey Viel in his NHL debut. (Rich Gagnon / Getty Images)
During Washington’s morning skate, Ovechkin asked to take Leonard’s stick for a spin. He was not impressed. Ovechkin, who is more of a puck masher, uses a 100-flex CCM weapon. It is practically a redwood compared to Leonard’s sapling.
Ovechkin promptly gave the stick back to Leonard. The former BC sophomore had no choice but to return Ovechkin’s stick to its owner, even if he wanted him to sign it.
“He doesn’t like my stick, so that didn’t go too hot,” Leonard said with a smile. “But it was pretty cool just to go out there and shoot with his.”
One year ago, the Capitals would have been happy had Leonard been a one-and-done collegian. They were fighting for playoff qualification and would eventually make it as the No. 2 wild-card entry. Leonard’s offense could have made their run more comfortable.
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.
“It was the best decision to go back for another year,” Leonard said. “Just grow a lot and mature, too. It was definitely the right choice.”
There is not as much heat on Leonard to deliver this season. The Capitals are the NHL’s second-best team. Leonard can be part of the support staff and prioritize NHL acclimation at his pace without feeling rushed to produce.
Part of the franchise’s challenge is to incorporate Leonard without wrecking team chemistry. On Tuesday, 27-year-old Taylor Raddysh was a healthy scratch to accommodate Leonard’s debut. The Capitals entered Tuesday on a three-game losing streak. Leonard’s arrival could be the kick the Capitals need.
“New young blood on the team, I think it’s a good thing,” Charlie Lindgren said. “Got to know him a little bit this summer. I think he’s going to be a really good addition to our team, the way he plays. He plays really hard. For his first game, obviously pretty cool that he’s playing in Boston. Season ends a couple days ago. Then comes on and plays at TD Garden against the Bruins, his hometown team.
“Really happy for him. He’s definitely going to add some life to our team.”
(Top photo of Ryan Leonard’s rookie lap: Rich Gagnon / Getty Images)