Screen cap: NHL Network
The 2024 World Junior tournament was once again filled with excitement and intense action. Two Washington Capitals prospects participated in the tournament, both of whom were wearing red, white and blue: Ryan Leonard, the Capitals’ eighth-overall selection, and Ryan Chesley, Washington’s 2022 second-round pick.
Both prospects were excellent in Team USA’s sixth Gold Medal. Leonard finished the tournament with six points (three goals, three assists) in seven games and Chesley finished with four points (one goal, three assists) and was third in the entire tournament with a plus/minus rating of +9.
We documented each of their performances game-by-game throughout the tournament.
Dec. 26: USA defeats Norway 4-1 in Preliminary Matchup:
Leonard had a solid first game and once again made an impact on every shift. He was once again paired with Boston College teammates and linemates Will Smith and Gabe Perreault and the trio had its fair share of looks.
Leonard had the secondary assist on Gavin Brindley’s goal to make it 2-0 Americans. This tally turned out to be the game-winner.
Gavin Brindley capitalizes on the powerplay to put USA up 2-0. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/mO21olzofV
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2023
The freshman winger had a team-leading eight shots on goal and also had two penalties. Leonard almost had two highlight-reel goals. The first being an in-between the legs move on a Norway defenseman, but was stuffed by Norway goaltender Markus Stensrud. The other was a spin-o-rama move and he was once again stopped, but he drew a penalty on the play. This led to the Brindley goal.
After being the extra defenseman in last year’s tournament, Chesley was decent in his first game of the tournament. The sophomore out of Minnesota skated on the top pair with Boston University’s Lane Hutson and had some nice keep-ins. He was a plus-1 and played 18:27 worth of ice time. He did get burned on a breakaway, but USA goaltender Trey Augustine bailed him out.
So it was an overall solid first game for the two prospects.
Dec. 28: USA Defeats Switzerland 11-3 In Preliminary Matchup.
The US put up an offensive onslaught right from the drop of the puck. Leonard and Chesley continued to play their games and had really solid showings once again. After drawing a penalty, Leonard scored on the same power play to make it 7-1 USA. It was another gritty goal in front of the net.
Lucky #⃣7⃣ from Ryan Leonard!@usahockey | @Capitals | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/xitBFTiO33
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 28, 2023
Leonard had two shots on goal but continued to generate so many chances for his team. Chesley looked solid with his skating and had an extended shift in the third period when Switzerland was on the power play. Chesley was a plus-1 and earned 16:45 of ice time.
Dec. 29: USA Defeats Czech Republic 4-3 in a shootout in Preliminary Matchup
This was the most challenging game for the US up to this point. It was a back and forth affair and the Americans easily could have lost. They struggled with their defensive structure but the offense was able to rebound.
Leonard once again got on the scoresheet, with the primary assist on Will Smith’s tally mid way through the second period to tie the game at two.
Czechia’s lead did not last long as Will Smith evens things up for Team USA!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/MjTmbJFQpG
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2023
With the US down 3-2 late in the second period, Chesley earned his first point of the tournament and it was a clutch moment. Forward Isaac Howard had the puck below the goal line and Chesley was sneaking up in the play waiting for a one timer. Howard fed it over right in Chesley’s wheelhouse and he made no mistake.
Ryan Chesley has his first of the #WorldJuniors! @usahockey | @GopherHockey | @Capitals pic.twitter.com/2Izs9tsZnI
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 29, 2023
Later in the period, Leonard had a key shot block but was shaken up on the play. He was able to return. He finished the game with two shots on goal.
Dec. 31: USA demolishes Slovakia 10-2 to Clinch Group B
In the final game of the preliminary series, both the team and the two prospects came to play. The Americans got off to another good start and Rutger McGroarty made it 1-0 on a wrap-around try. Chesley had the secondary assist on the goal after throwing the puck on net, and McGroarty was able to find the loose change and put it past Slovak goaltender Samuel Urban.
THE CAPTAIN!!! 🇺🇸@usahockey | @NHLJets | @umichhockey | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/dZPQpOpdi2
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 31, 2023
Slovakia tied the game at one and the US eventually took a 3-1 lead. Chesley had his second point of the game with the secondary assist on Gavin Brindley’s highlight-reel shorthanded goal.
You may have the man advantage, but @usahockey has Gavin Brindley! @umichhockey | @BlueJacketsNHL | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/NlyOSo3Z4O
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 31, 2023
The Slovak’s brought the game within one, but Leonard came up in the clutch, extending the U.S’s lead to 4-2. Leonard was doing an excellent job of crashing the net and once again creating more chances. In the second period, he had a two-on-one, but a Slovakian defenseman forced the puck away with his stick.
A dart from Ryan Leonard! 🎯🎯🎯@usahockey | @BC_MHockey | @Capitals | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/hKWd2z6Wvy
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 31, 2023
Chesley and Leonard each had one shot on goal. Leonard earned 16:20 worth of ice time and Chesley earned 18:27.
The US clinched Group B and would play Latvia for their first knockout game.
Jan. 2: USA Defeats Latvia 7-2 to advance to Semifinals
It was another offensive onslaught for the Americans. Both Chesley and Leonard played solid games once again. Leonard’s playmaking ability was on full display in this game. He sent a perfect stretch pass to Gabe Perreault and he fed it across to Will Smith to make it 5-1 USA.
Leonard finished the game with three shots on goal and 13:46 worth of ice time.
Will Smith puts it to the back of the net!🚨🇺🇸 @usahockey #WorldJuniors #USALAT pic.twitter.com/jMQfhvhgOV
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 2, 2024
Chesley continued to get quality ice time with Lane Hutson and had three shots on goal and 18:04 worth of ice time.
Jan. 4: USA Defeats Finland 3-2 to advance to Gold Medal game
The Americans got off to a slow start trailing 2-0 after the first period. Chesley and Leonard struggle to find their games in the first along with the rest of the team. Chesley was on the ice for Rasmus Kumpluainen’s goal, which made it 2-0 Finland.
FINLAND TAKES A 2-0 LEAD IN THE FIRST!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/ThYqYuUyEd
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 4, 2024
The US had no energy in the first period and struggle to execute. But it was a complete 180 in the second period. Leonard and the BC line was getting looks in the second but failed to convert. The Americans were firing everything at Finnish goaltender Niklas Kokko.
Ryan Leonard just broke his stick over his legs 🤯 pic.twitter.com/EMH1QZ7YQ7
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 4, 2024
After Jimmy Snuggerud brought the deficit to one, Will Smith tied the game at two on a backdoor feed from Gabe Perreault. Chesley had the secondary assist on the tally. He kept the puck in the offensive zone which started the whole play.
Will Smith 🤝 backdoor goals #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/b9kJ5VlpSV
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 4, 2024
Later in the third period, Chesley had a golden opportunity to give the US the lead short handed but Kokko denied him with the glove.
The US outplayed the Finns for the entire third period. There was a play where Leonard kept the puck alive in the offensive zone and the Americans had so much sustained pressure because of it.
Cutter Gauthier scored the game winning goal on the power play to send the US to the Gold Medal game to take on Team Sweden. Leonard was on the ice for the goal.
Cutter. Gauthier. 🚨 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/v09HsZT2i4
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 4, 2024
Chesley had five shots on goal and earned a whopping 25:13 of ice time. Leonard was once again a scoring chance machine and started to get involved in some extracurricular activities. Leonard was a minus-1 and earned 13:04 worth of ice time. Leonard also blocked a shot late in the game.
Jan. 5: USA Clinches Gold defeating Sweden 6-2.
It was an electric atmosphere for the Gold Medal game. Much of the crowd dressed in yellow and blue to cheer on the hometown Swedes.
In the first few minutes of the game, Chesley missed a Swedish defenseman on a pinch. But with four minutes left in the period, he threaded the needle with a terrific stretch pass to Quinn Finley and sent him on a breakaway, but Sweden goaltender Hugo Havelid denied him with the pad.
With the Americans up 3-1, the Swedes made it a one goal game on the power play with five seconds left in the second period. On Jonathan Lekkerimäki’s shot, the puck deflected off of Chesley’s body and over the glove side of Trey Augustine.
WHO ELSE? Jonathan Lekkerimäki (#Canucks) strikes on the powerplay with five seconds left in the second period and Sweden is back within one! #2024IIHFWorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/1mUBgSbJYT
— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) January 5, 2024
Leonard and the BC line continued to make a push and they were on the ice for Zeev Buium’s one-time blast to make it 4-2. It was all Team USA for the rest of the game and the Capitals’ eighth-overall selection made headlines on his goal which made it 5-2 USA.
Leonard’s work ethic and hustle was on full display on his goal. He outmuscled a Swedish defender in a puck battle and cut to the middle of the ice to snipe one over Havelid’s blocker side.
His celebration at the end was incredible.
Ryan Leonard extends the lead! @usahockey | @BC_MHockey | @Capitals | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/QbgbjB2ebS
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) January 5, 2024
Leonard’s goal would be the dagger and the Americans would go on to win 6-2 and win the Gold Medal for the sixth time ever.
Leonard finished the game with two shots on goal and 13:27 of ice time. Chesley on the other hand was a plus-2 and had 25:16 worth of ice time.
By Jacob Cheris
Love Leonard’s game obviously. Chesley has tools. I hope he can continue to develop them. He does not have the look of a NHL player, yet. Of course I believe all the Dmen were less developed than the forwards in the tournament.
I think is a fair take with regards to Chesley. He’s raw, has potential, excellent size, build for NHL, but needs some work. Was very pleased with Leonard in the tournament.
Wish Chesley could acquire some of Leonard’s grit and fire.
Also agree with this. Leonard is a hockey player’s hockey player. Zero complaints with the teenager’s development. He’s exciting.
I’ve seen Chelsey lay out some big hits while playing for Minnesota. I don’t know where you’re getting this “no grit and fire” take. You can’t really judge him fairly on a two week tournament. He’ll be groomed with Hershey. Even if he turns pro after this season, he’s got a minimum of a two year Hershey apprenticeship. He’s still a work in progress. That’s why Jensen and TVR were signed for 3 more years, so the RHD prospects could marinate slowly.
Chesley shows plenty of grit and fire playing for Minnesota. Hits hard. Sticks up for teammates to the extent the college rules allow.
He did get walked a couple of times in this tournament, though all I saw were highlights (or low-lights in this case for Chesley). He also should have either blocked Lekkerimaki’s shot in the final or cleared himself and the guy he was defending out of the way. Standing in the way and having the shot go off of him into the net was the worst possible way to play that situation.
But he’s a kid defenseman, and he has 2.5 more years of college eligibility at one of the best hockey schools in the world. If he develops the tool set he appears to have, he should be able to step in to the NHL very soon after leaving college. He’s not Orr, Makar or Karlsson but he doesn’t have to be. He just needs to be a dependable, effective defenseman who can get the puck to the right guy at the right time for breakouts, and chip in offensively when opportunities arise.
I really enjoyed Chesley’s game. Obviously there were a few mistakes but that’s to be expected from such a young defenseman. He did a lot of the really heavy work of defending on that top pair with Hutson, which let Hutson’s offensive skills shine, and covered up for a few mistakes on his part. I know Chesley is mostly projected as a defensive defenseman but this tourney really let him show he is capable of getting the puck to the net or onto a scorer’s stick
Agree, he’s got the potential, and there is real value for his style play in the NHL. He’s still a teenager and developing. Patience is key with all prospects, including The Big Cheeze.
Leonard already looks like the real deal at 18. Chesley is still developing. He had a bad tournament last year and this year was much more better. That’s encouraging to me.
I’m trying to figure out what ex-Cap Lenny reminds me of most. He’s a little Mike Gartner, a little Dino Ciccarelli, a little Steve Konowalchuk, a little Alex Ovechkin.
Maybe I should stop overthinking, and just let him be himself. And that promises to be very, very good. There’ll be plenty of #9 Leonard jerseys walking around the new arena in Alexandria.
The only thing I worry about with Leonard is what happens when he has to play against men and no longer has a strength advantage. Any kid who is physically strongest in his age group tends to be able to dominate, and that doesn’t always translate when they get to the professional ranks, where everybody except perhaps a few Caps defenders (3 and 38) are as strong as Leonard is now. Unlike Wilson, Leonard is not a huge man-child, he’s about 6’/200, playing against kids who may be taller but are not as heavy or strong.
I’m not saying he won’t be a great player. But I’m not ready to give him an NHL all-star sweater quite yet.
That’s why I compared him to Dino Ciccarelli, because he’s not the biggest guy. But Dino was fearless, and if Leonard plays a similar game, he’ll be all right. I kind of get this feeling that Leonard will be an all around kind of guy, not really the best at any one thing, but good at a lot of things: net presence, grit, tenacity, defense, shot etc. That’s why I compared him to 4 ex-Caps because he’s not exactly like any of them, but has elements of all 4. One article I read that was a roundup of the draft said that Leonard didn’t have the highest ceiling, but he’d never give a coach a reason to sit him.
If he can turn into a slightly bigger/better version of Oshie, who is a true heart-and-soul kind of player, I’d call that a huge win.
if 92 had the heart of Ryan Leonard, he’d score 100 goals a year…but alas 92 is a punk entitled turd that refuses to work hard. i’d trade him for a used cup at this point.