Ryerson Leenders

Ryerson Leenders (born June 1, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He is considered a top goaltending prospect eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Ryerson Leenders
Born (2006-06-01) June 1, 2006
Nanticoke, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
OHL team Brampton Steelheads

Playing career

Leenders was selected in the second round, 32nd overall, in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) priority draft by the Mississauga Steelheads.[1] He made his OHL debut in the 2022–23 season, posting his first win on October 16, 2022, against the Sarnia Sting.[2] In that year's playoffs, he established himself as their starting goalie, but he and the Steelheads were eliminated in game 6 of the first round against the North Bay Battalion.[3][4]

In the 2023–24 season, Leenders recorded his first career shutout, against the Erie Otters on September 29, 2023.[5] He was later chosen as a top draft-eligible prospect to attend the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where he made 19 saves on 20 shots.[6] Leenders was injured early the playoffs, playing only two games in a first round exit at the hands of the Sudbury Wolves.[7][8] Entering the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, his positioning, reflexes, and movement, as well as his success on a team with a struggling defence group, were among the qualities that led some scouts to project him as a first-round pick.[9][10]

International play
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World U18 Championships
2024 Finland
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
2023 Czechia/Slovakia

Leenders played for Team Canada Black at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.[2]

At the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Leenders won gold with Team Canada, but as their third string goaltender he did not see any ice time.[11]

Leenders represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships.[12] In his lone start at the event, a 7–1 victory over Switzerland, he made 25 saves on 26 shots.[6]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeague GPWLT/OTMINGASOGAASV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2022–23 Mississauga Steelheads OHL 35121531,87710903.48.879 6243372203.92.861
2023–24 Mississauga Steelheads OHL 46241742,67213933.12.909 20188302.07.933
OHL totals 81363274,55024833.27.898 8254242503.54.877

International
Year Team Event Result GPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
2022 Canada Black U17 4th 30301721505.23.847
2024 Canada U18 110060101.00.963
Junior totals 4130232160

References
  1. "Ryerson Leenders". gojhl.ca. Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  2. "Karmiris and Leenders to represent Canada to 2022 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge". gtaweekly.ca. GTA Weekly. October 18, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  3. Freitas, Mark (January 11, 2024). "Ryerson Leenders is showing why he is a Top Prospect". firedupnetwork.ca. Fired Up. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  4. "Three Takeaways From North Bay's Series Victory Over Mississauga". 13thmansports.ca. 13th Man Sports. April 10, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  5. Wood, Joelle (October 2, 2023). "Steelheads' Ryerson Leenders named OHL Goaltender of the Week". chl.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  6. Reimer, Dayton (June 12, 2024). "Ryerson Leenders – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  7. Stockl, Joely (April 2, 2024). "Jack Ivankovic Performing in Relief for Mississauga Steelheads; Earns First Career OHL Playoff Win". thehockeynews.com. The Hockey News. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  8. Sweetland, Josh (April 5, 2024). "Series HQ: Mississauga vs. Sudbury". chl.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  9. Kelly, Lauren (November 2, 2023). "OHL Stock Watch: Luke Misa lighting the scoresheet on fire for Mississauga". eprinkside.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  10. Green, Lance (November 7, 2023). "Prospect Watch: Critiquing the top-rated goalies of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft". steelflyers.com. Steel Flyers. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  11. Colpitts, Iain (August 8, 2023). "Mississauga Steelheads duo win gold with Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". mississauga.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  12. "MacDougall praises Leenders' performance: 'Outstanding goaltending'". tsn.ca. The Sports Network. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.