John Leonard (ice hockey)

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John Leonard
Born (1998-08-07) August 7, 1998 (age 25)
Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams
NHL Draft
182nd overall,
Playing career 2021–present

John Gerard Leonard (born August 7, 1998) is an American professional

2018 NHL Entry Draft
.

Playing career

Leonard was originally first eligible to be drafted in

2018 NHL Entry Draft despite not having any contact with Leonard during the predraft process.[2] In his third year at UMass, Leonard was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and lead all NCAA players in goals, with 27.[3]

On March 31, 2020, Leonard decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Sharks.[4] Leonard made the opening night roster and made his NHL debut against the Arizona Coyotes on January 14, 2021, playing on a line with Evander Kane and Tomáš Hertl.[5] Leonard posted two points in his debut, assisting on goals by both his linemates, helping the Sharks to a 4–3 shootout victory.[5] His first goal came in a 3–2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on February 15, 2021.[6]

After his second full professional season within the Sharks organization, on July 8, 2022, Leonard was traded along with a

unrestricted free agent.[11]

Leonard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes on July 3, 2023.[9] He attended the Coyotes' 2023 training camp but was placed on waivers. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to Arizona's AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners to start the 2023–24 season.[12] He was recalled by Arizona on March 12, 2024 after an injury to Barrett Hayton.[13][14] Leonard made his Coyotes debut on March 14 versus the Detroit Red Wings.[15] He scored his first goal with the Coyotes against Jake Oettinger in his fourth game, a 5–2 loss to the Dallas Stars on March 20.[16]

Personal life

Leonard was born on August 7, 1998, to parents John and Cindy Leonard. He has three siblings. His brother, Ryan, is committed to play college ice hockey at Boston College.[17] His father, John Sr., was an assistant coach for the UMass Minutemen basketball team between 2001 and 2005.[1]

Career statistics

Regular season
Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15
Springfield Cathedral High
USHS-Prep 25 47 28 75
2015–16 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 48 5 4 9 10 4 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 58 19 15 34 20
2017–18 UMass-Amherst HE 33 13 15 28 10
2018–19 UMass-Amherst HE 40 16 22 40 24
2019–20 UMass-Amherst HE 33 27 10 37 8
2020–21 San Jose Sharks NHL 44 3 10 13 2
2020–21 San Jose Barracuda AHL 2 1 1 2 0
2021–22 San Jose Barracuda AHL 45 17 15 32 6
2021–22 San Jose Sharks NHL 14 1 1 2 0
2022–23 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 67 17 27 44 14 6 0 1 1 0
2022–23 Nashville Predators NHL 6 1 0 1 2
2023–24 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 63 12 20 32 24
2023–24 Arizona Coyotes NHL 6 1 0 1 0
NHL totals 70 6 11 17 4

Awards and honours

Award or Honour Year
College
Second All-Star Team (East) 2019
First All-American Team (East) 2020
First All-Star Team (Hockey East) 2020
Three Stars Award (Hockey East) 2020
Best Forward (New England) 2020
Most Goals 2020 [3]

References

  1. ^ a b "John Leonard". University of Massachusetts Amherst. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  2. ^ Grabowski, Kyle (January 15, 2021). "Work ethic brought John Leonard from Amherst to the NHL". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Walfish, Josh (April 3, 2020). "UMass junior forward John Leonard's scoring ability takes him to the front step of NHL". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  4. ^ "Leonard agrees to join Sharks, led NCAA in goals". National Hockey League. March 31, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Sharks' John Leonard: Impresses in NHL debut". CBS Sports. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  6. ^ "Leonard Scores First Career Goal Against Anaheim". National Hockey League. February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  7. ^ "Predators acquire John Leonard, 3rd round pick in 2023 from San Jose". Nashville Predators. July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  8. ^ "Predators sign John Leonard to one-year, two-way contract". Nashville Predators. July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d Grabowski, Kyle (July 3, 2023). "NHL free agency: Amherst native John Leonard signs 1-year deal with Arizona Coyotes". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "Lankinen leads Predators past Panthers 2-1". ESPN. Associated Press. March 2, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  11. ^ "NHL Qualifying Offer Roundup: Puljujarvi, Bear become UFAs". Sportsnet. June 30, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  12. ^ "Coyotes' John Leonard: Waived Monday". CBS Sports. October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Coyotes' John Leonard: Recalled from AHL". CBS Sports. March 12, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  14. ^ Mastey, Remy (March 13, 2024). "Barrett Hayton Will 'Miss Some Time' With Lower-body Injury". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Mastey, Remy (March 14, 2024). "Coyotes Projected Lineup, Notable Storylines Against Detroit Red Wings". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  16. ^ "Benn, Seguin, Stankoven score in 2nd period, Stars beat Coyotes 5-2". ESPN. Associated Press. March 20, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  17. ^ Grabowski, Kyle (August 1, 2021). "Amherst native Ryan Leonard commits to Boston College hockey". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Hockey East Three-Stars Award
2019–20
Succeeded by