2023 NHL DRAFT CLASS - RYAN LEONARD

With the 2023 NHL Draft coming up next month, we're profiling some of the players that may be of interest to the Flames when they make their selection at 16th overall. In this edition, we take a closer look at forward Ryan Leonard of the U.S. National Team Development Program

Height: 6'0" Weight: 192 lbs.
Position: Right Wing
Hometown: Northhampton, Mass., USA
Final Ranking: 5th (North American Skaters)

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When he arrived there in Michigan, 16, and fresh off a dynamite Triple-A campaign, Ryan Leonard knew he had a flair for lighting the lamp.

But when you assemble the best players in the country under one roof - as the esteemed U.S. National Team Development Program does - it became clear there was much more to learn.

About the game.

And himself.

"Coming to the NTDP, everyone is known as the skill guy or the goal-scorer on your (youth) team," said Leonard, whose 51 goals and 94 points this year with the U18 squad confirms it. "Coming here, though, makes you find your true identity. And I think, looking back on the season and my two years with the program, everyone helped me realize my full potential."

In hockey, there's no other place like it.

Their mantra - "Preparing student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on the U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers" - says it all.

The U18 group plays a full season's worth of games between opponents from the USHL and the NCAA, as well as three international tournaments including the IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

This year, the U.S. picked up gold - with Leonard finishing third in team scoring eight goals and 17 points in only seven games.

When he looks back on it - from the goals he set for himself and the team, to the rungs he climbed on his path to the next level - the season couldn't have gone any better.

"It was all about gaining confidence in myself and being sure of the player that I am - and could be in the future," he said. "I think back to all the behind-the-scenes work. Everyone, they're all so dedicated. Our trainers spent countless hours of time and energy writing workouts and are constantly adapting it to how our bodies react. I give a lot of credit to them.

"Our staff, same thing. We hired a video coach this year, Dan Darrow, who was previously with the San Jose Sharks. The amount of hours he spent on his computer this year is crazy. That's the thing about our program. It's a ton of effort, but it shows with the success the NTDP has had and the players that have have gone on to do great things."

Certainly, Leonard figures to be the next in a long line of elite talent, fortified at USA Hockey's home in Plymouth.

The 6-foot-0, 192-lb. right-winger is a physical power forward that has a penchant for shooting the puck. He compares himself to Buffalo brute Alex Tuch and Edmonton winger Zach Hyman, as both not only have soft mitts and can make a variety of plays offensively, but aren't afraid of the dirty areas.

That, ultimately, is Leonard's calling card.

He has an excellent shot but only occasionally scores from distance, owing much of his goal-scoring prowess to his ability to make plays off the rush and crash the net-front. His puck protection is world class, and while his top-end speed isn't elite, he moves well and can effortlessly ward off defenders to buy time and open up seams for his linemates.

Uniquely, Leonard showed off his versatility by playing all three forward positions this year, but admits - as a right-shot threat - is most comfortable on his natural side.

"As we started to play colleges, I found it tougher to play on my off side," Leonard admits. "Just with older, stronger defencemen and all that. Then, I only played a couple games at centre before going back to the right. I made a home there."

Leonard's 94 points came in only 57 games. He then struck another 11 times and added nine helpers in 17 tilts against USHL competition. On a stacked team that included potential Top-3 pick Will Smith, Leonard emerged as one of the draft's elite offensive producers.

The Northhampton, Mass. native is committed to Boston College next year, alongside several of his NTDP teammates, including Smith, Will Vote, Aram Minnetian and Drew Fortescue.

"When I was younger, I always wanted to end up at a Boston school," Leonard said. "BC - if you've ever been to the campus - it's kind of hard not to love it. The coaching staff there, they showed a lot of interest in me and they showed that they want to have a winning culture again. I'm really excited to get there next year.

"It's obviously going to be another step up, but I can't wait for the opportunity."