What an April it has been for the Capitals. The team and the NHL world was busy with one historic headline – Alex Ovechkin‘s landmark 895th goal, making him the top goal-scorer in the NHL. And for the most part, this goal was also what the Capitals fans had been waiting to celebrate. And when it finally came on April 6, it was like the culmination of a wait that even they didn’t know when it started. But there was another Capitals forward who had a crazier week.

Anyone following NCAA ice hockey knows the name Ryan Leonard. Ask the fans and they will say the 20-year-old from Massachusetts has that special touch. Stardom has been coming his way thick and fast, and it was almost like a pile-up, starting from March 31. That is, until Alex Ovechkin entered the scene. And whoosh, the 20-year-old Hobey Baker Award finalist was no longer in the limelight. Not having the cameras on you – was it a good thing or bad? Well, the Boston College forward gave his honest take on what has transpired.

On April 21, the NHL released a video on its YouTube Channel titled ‘Ryan Leonard’s WILD First Week in NHL’. The name says it all. And it seems like the youngster wanted a break: “I think it kind of started a little bit, it was a little bit hectic with me coming in and all that stuff.” Well, it was a chaotic week for sure for the Boston College star. On March 31, the youngster signed his ELC with the Washington Capitals. Just the day before, he had played what was his last college game.

But no time to reminisce. On April 1, he was already taking his rookie lap inside the TD Garden. Obviously, it was fate that the Capitals had a match with the Boston Bruins just the day after Leonard had signed the pro contract. In front of his family and his college fans, his debut came. And as if it wasn’t enough, just 3 days later, Leonard would score his first Capitals goal. It was just the Ryan Leonard universe, and we were just living in it.

The match also saw Alex Ovechkin tie with Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in the NHL. That’s why the ice hockey legend was in the Capital One Arena. And in turn, the 2025 Hobey Baker Award finalist also got to meet the iconic forward who came to the Capitals dressing room and congratulated the youngster for his #1 goal. So overwhelming, isn’t it? Scoring your first NHL goal, seeing history being made on the ice by a legendary teammate. And still have another legend come and congratulate you in front of the whole team.

For a young kid, this is definitely a learning curve, learning to come to terms with always being in the limelight. Talking to the interviewer, the rookie forward shared, “And then it kind of just let me play a little bit more once Ovi got a little bit closer.” And with it came the media attention, the talk, the scrutiny, everything. Ryan Leonard was the talk of the town. And just like that, it was gone too. Not that the youngster minded it a bit: “My name kind of disappeared a little bit, which was nice.”

The focus was on the ‘Great 8’. And the big 895th goal. Which came on April 6th, against the New York Islanders. But Ryan Leonard was also there, right close to the spotlight, playing 14:21 minutes on the ice on the historic night. And all this was happening while he had his academic commitments. Playing on Friday, he had to submit a quiz for the ‘Self, Mind and Society at Boston College’ class, which he did online. “Gotta continue to try to plug away at the credits.”

What a frantic week for sure. But the youngster knows how to cover all the bases. And building on his first week at the NHL, he wants to leave a lasting legacy at the Capitals.

Sharing the limelight with Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Leonard dreams of more

The start has been overwhelming, but in a good way for the Capitals rookie. “Just being a part of what Ovi has done, to do it at home when I scored my first goal, it’s just another night that didn’t really feel real.” And he definitely is thankful for the love he is getting from the fans: “It’s cool to be recognized like that and see what the city sees in me.” And the youngster is already planning for the future: “Hopefully, I can just continue to make them happy.”

When asked what kind of image he wants to have as a player, the 2025 NCAA leading scorer said, “Someone who works hard and tries to represent the Washington Capitals in the best way.” Well, he will get his chance to show it in the playoffs. And in the future. Signing a 3-year contract, he will get the opportunity many would die for. To learn from the very best.

And Alex Ovechkin himself is on a mission – Stanley Cup #2.