“Hey, it’s Ovi”: a welcome text, a debut in the city and the next move by Ryan Leonard

BOSTON – Monday, Ryan Leonard was with his brothers. The twenty year old was surrounded by teammates and friends inside their dressing room at the Count Forum del Boston College, in the process of signing his three-year Entry-level NHL contract, when his phone buzzed.

“Hey, it’s ovi,” reads a text.

It was Alex Ovechkin who asked if he wanted to go out for sushi that night.

“I don’t know if you should answer this,” said one of Leonard’s BC teammates, suspecting a trick.

“In a sense,” Leonard replied.

The day before, Leonard appeared in his last hockey game at college. The Eagles lost 3-1 against the University of Denver in the regional final of the NCAA tournament. It was the second consecutive year Leonard and Bc lost against Denver.

For Leonard, the pain of losing his latest NCAA game was mitigated by the knowledge of what he was supposed to come: a professional contract and a debut at the NHL at the TD Garden. For two seasons, Amherst’s native had made his second home for Beanpot and Hockey East tournaments.

Tuesday has become the website of his first professional appearance.

As is customized with some clubs, Leonard was first released for pre -party heating for several beginner laps. He noticed many of his teammates BC who beat on the glass.

It was in the initial formation next to Aliaksei Protas and Dylan Strome. Leonard played 14:14, missing the network with his only attempt.

“It is certainly much faster than college,” said Leonard after the 4-3 victory of the capital on Boston Bruins. “I could have managed the record a little better. Some bad turnover. But I learned as the game went on.”

In the third period, Leonard’s recovery outside the advice helped the capital to maintain possession in the offensive area. A few moments later, Strome hidden in a bounce at a distance close from the end tables.

“I thought it was excellent,” said coach Spencer Cavalry. “I liked his game. A lot of different touches he had. Obviously plays a great factor on the lens, which would have been the winner of the game. His touches liked through the neutral area. He was just outside a couple of play where he is in a strange race situation.”

Cavalry observed that as a former NCAA player, Leonard had never participated in a NHL debut or a training field. As such, Leonard had never played in a game of Preseason.

As for Tuesday’s debut, it was always a matter of when, not if, Leonard would have attracted his capital shirt n. 9. The hard dependent dynamo is designed for the NHL. He is a high motor striker who has fun equally to download an opponent while he likes to take shots beyond the enemy goalkeepers. The jug flies from its 80 flex stick.

Ryan Leonard has held strong control over Boston’s Jeffrey Viel in his debut in the NHL. (Rich Gagnon / Getty Images)

During Washington morning skating, Owchkin asked to take Leonard’s stick for a lap. It was not hit. Ovechkin, which is more a disc masher, uses a 100 rifle CCM weapon. It is practically a sequoia compared to Leonard’s sapling.

Ovechkin promptly returned the stick to Leonard. The former BC second year had no other choice than to return the Ovechkin stick to its owner, even if he wanted him to sign it.

“He doesn’t like my stick, so he didn’t go too hot,” Leonard said with a smile. “But it was quite beautiful just going out there and shooting with his.”

A year ago, the capitals would have been happy if Leonard had been a connect to a meaning. They were fighting for the qualification of the playoffs and in the end they would have done it as entry no. 2. Leonard’s offense could have made their run more comfortable.

Will Smith, Leonard’s Center and former development program of the national team, has chosen to leave BC after his serial number and sign with the San Jose sharks. Leonard did not follow. He wanted another game with the Eagles together with the second year companions Drew Fortescue, Jacob Fowler and Gabe Perreault, all NHL choices. Leonard is not pently.

“It was the best decision to return for another year,” said Leonard. “You grow a lot and also mature. It was definitely the right choice.”

There is not much warmth on Leonard to be delivered this season. The capital are the second improved team of the NHL. Leonard can be part of the support staff and give priority to the NHL accelimation at its rhythm without feeling hurried to produce.

Part of the challenge of the franchise is to incorporate Leonard without demolishing the team chemistry. Tuesday, the 27 -year -old Taylor Raddysh was a healthy scratch to welcome Leonard’s debut. The capital entered Tuesday with a series of defeats in three games. Leonard’s arrival could be the football that the capitals need.

“New young blood in the team, I think it’s a good thing,” said Charlie Lindgren. “I met this summer a little. I think it will be really a good addition to our team, the way he plays. He plays very hard. For his first game, obviously rather beautiful that he is playing in Boston. The season ends a couple of days ago. Then he arrives and plays at the TD Garden against the Bruins, his home team.

“Really happy for him. He will surely add a little life to our team.”

(Top photo of Royan Leonard Rookie lap: Rich Gagnon / Getty Images)