Ryan Leonard has signed with the Capitals. Which of his BC teammates could be next to ink pro contracts?
“We have him out there in key defensive situations, we have him out there playing against the other team’s top line, almost as a match up line, as well."
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Following Boston College’s loss to Denver in the NCAA Tournament, the focus has shifted to which players will return for the 2025-26 season, and which might sign professional contracts in the coming days.
As expected, Ryan Leonard, who was selected by the Washington Capitals eighth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, signed a three-year, entry-level contract Monday and could be in the lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Bruins at TD Garden.
The Amherst native followed up his 31-goal freshman campaign with an NCAA-best 30 to become the first men’s Division 1 college player to post consecutive 30-goal seasons since fellow Eagle Cam Atkinson (2009-10, 2010-11). Leonard had the opportunity to sign with the Capitals after his freshman season, but after weighing his options, he returned for his sophomore year.
In two seasons with BC, he posted 109 points (61 goals, 48 assists) in 78 games.
Fellow sophomore Gabe Perreault, a first-round selection in 2023 by the Rangers, followed suit, agreeing to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract. In 37 games he had 48 points on 16 goals and 32 assists to finish in the top 10 in points per game (1.30).
Jacob Fowler, a third-round pick of the Canadiens in 2023, could be up next. He is a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given annually to the top goalie in men’s NCAA Division 1 hockey, for the second year in a row.
Last week, ahead of the NCAA Tournament, BC coach Greg Brown spoke about what Leonard brought to the team.
“I think the things that go unappreciated or aren’t as noticeable are all the things he does aside from scoring goals,” said Brown. “We have him out there in key defensive situations, we have him out there playing against the other team’s top line, almost as a match up line, as well.
“His competitiveness, his physicality, all those things make him a player that anyone would want on their team. And the fact that he’s leading the country in goals, as well as doing all those things away from the puck, just make him an invaluable player for us.”
After Sunday night’s loss, Brown focused on the seniors when discussing who will be moving on, crediting captain Eamon Powell, Aidan Hreschuk, Gentry Shamburger, Mike Posma, and Connor Joyce, for making his transition to head coach following Jerry York’s retirement in 2022 so seamless, and for the leadership they displayed for the talented crop of younger players.
“The welcoming that they embraced the new players, which allowed the young guys to play so well because they felt comfortable on the team,” said Brown. “We’ve had a lot of young guys last year and this year that could play a lot of really good hockey. That doesn’t happen without the older guys doing their part to make them feel a part of the team.”
Juniors Andre Gasseau and Oskar Jellvik are Bruins draft picks. Should they return for their senior seasons, they could become free agents the following summer, having played four years of amateur hockey. Faced with a similar scenario last spring, the Bruins opted to sign Woburn native Riley Duran after his junior season at Providence College. Jellvik had season-ending surgery after getting injured in the Beanpot and would not appear ready to take the ice any time soon.
The signings can come fast and furious in the days following a season-ending loss. Just ask Northeastern, which has seen Cam Lund (San Jose), Jack Williams (Columbus), Jackson Dorrington (Rangers), and Cameron Whitehead (Vegas) depart since their loss to Maine on March 20.
Lund, a Bridgewater native, already has played three games for the Sharks, scoring a pair of goals. Dorrington, who played at Cushing Academy and is from North Reading, has suited up for the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford for two games.
The Lightning signed UMass forward Lucas Mercuri to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2025-26 season after acquiring him from the Hurricanes on Sunday. Mercuri, 23, had 10 goals and 31 assists in 40 games, his best in four seasons with the Minutemen. He will report to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL to play the rest of the season.
The Avalanche announced they signed Taylor Makar a one-year, entry-level contract through the 2025-26 season. Makar, who had 18 goals and 12 assists in his lone season at Maine following three with UMass, will report to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL for the remainder of this season.
Providence College senior defenseman Guillaume Richard signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets beginning in the 2025-26 season. Richard, who had two goals, 12 assists and a team-high 41 blocks in 37 games for the Friars, will report to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL for the remainder of this season.
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