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 |
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
editLeenders 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
edit| 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
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T/OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2022–23 | Mississauga Steelheads | OHL | 35 | 12 | 15 | 3 | 1,877 | 109 | 0 | 3.48 | .879 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 337 | 22 | 0 | 3.92 | .861 | ||
| 2023–24 | Mississauga Steelheads | OHL | 46 | 24 | 17 | 4 | 2,672 | 139 | 3 | 3.12 | .909 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 88 | 3 | 0 | 2.07 | .933 | ||
| OHL totals | 81 | 36 | 32 | 7 | 4,550 | 248 | 3 | 3.27 | .898 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 424 | 25 | 0 | 3.54 | .877 | ||||
International
edit| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Canada Black | U17 | 4th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 172 | 15 | 0 | 5.23 | .847 | |
| 2024 | Canada | U18 | 
|
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | .963 | |
| Junior totals | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 232 | 16 | 0 | ||||||
References
edit- ^ "Ryerson Leenders". gojhl.ca. Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "Karmiris and Leenders to represent Canada to 2022 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge". gtaweekly.ca. GTA Weekly. October 18, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Freitas, Mark (January 11, 2024). "Ryerson Leenders is showing why he is a Top Prospect". firedupnetwork.ca. Fired Up. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ "Three Takeaways From North Bay's Series Victory Over Mississauga". 13thmansports.ca. 13th Man Sports. April 10, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Wood, Joelle (October 2, 2023). "Steelheads' Ryerson Leenders named OHL Goaltender of the Week". chl.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Reimer, Dayton (June 12, 2024). "Ryerson Leenders – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Sweetland, Josh (April 5, 2024). "Series HQ: Mississauga vs. Sudbury". chl.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Colpitts, Iain (August 8, 2023). "Mississauga Steelheads duo win gold with Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". mississauga.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ "MacDougall praises Leenders' performance: 'Outstanding goaltending'". tsn.ca. The Sports Network. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database