Screen cap: Boston College Athletics

February marked the last full month of the regular season for hockey players playing in the NCAA, including Washington Capitals prospects Ryan Leonard, David Gucciardi, Ryan Chesley, Chase Clark, Brent Johnson, and Joaquim “Jo” Lemay. Here is how each of them fared in the second month of 2024.

Ryan Leonard, RW, 2023 1^st RD, No. 1 Boston College Eagles (25-5-1, 17-3-1)

Leonard played in all eight games that Boston College played in February, winning seven and losing just one. He scored at least one goal in six out of those eight games and recorded an assist in the two games where he did not score a goal. In fact, his last pointless game was back on December 2.

On February 16, Leonard scored two goals against the University of Massachusetts, one on the power play at 17:21 into the second period and the other near the end of the third period

Gauthier, Leonard Lead BC Past UMass – Boston College Athletics (bceagles.com)

On February 18, Leonard scored a hat trick as they swept Massachusetts 6-4. He scored his first goal at 6:44 after his linemate Gabe Perreault threaded a pass to him that he shot into the net. He scored his other two goals on back-to-back power plays just 58 seconds apart. His first power-play goal was 20 seconds into a 5-on-3 man advantage and tied the game 4-4. His go-ahead goal came at 11:01 and put Boston College up 5-4.

Leonard Hat Trick Keys Weekend Sweep – Boston College Athletics (bceagles.com)

Photo: Boston College

On February 24, Leonard atoned for a first period penalty by scoring a short-handed goal at 6:04 into the first period to tie the game at 1-1. Then he scored his second goal midway through the period. Leonard’s initial shot was denied but his backhanded follow-up went through the goalie’s five-hole for the tally. The final score in that game was 4-2.

3️⃣-point Saturday from Cut and Leno

Leonard: 2 goals, 1 assist
Gauthier: 1 goal, 2 assists pic.twitter.com/IbZnWZV2WH

— BC Men’s Hockey (@BC_MHockey) February 25, 2024

No. 1 Boston College Wins 10th Straight Hockey East Game – Boston College Athletics (bceagles.com)

Leonard has scored 23 goals and recorded 22 assists for 45 points overall.

The Boston College Eagles have three regular-season games in March to play before the Hockey East tournament begins on Saturday, March 16. (Update: Leonard’s team, Boston College, clinched the Hockey East regular season championship on the weekend of March 1-2. Details in March “College Prospect End of Regular Season” post.)

David Gucciardi, LD, 2022 7th RD, No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (21-8-3, 15-5-2)

Gucciardi played in five of the six games that Michigan State played in February, missing the game on February 24. Offensively, he recorded no points in February but recorded seven shots on goal. Gucciardi usually plays on the second defense pairing.

During the month, he took three minor penalties, two of them on February 3 and the other one on February 23.

For the season, Gucciardi has played in 27 games, scored one goal, and recorded seven assists. He has made 39 shots on goal and blocked 36 shots.

The Spartans have two more regular season games left, March 1 and March 2, both against the Wisconsin Badgers, which will determine the final regular season standings. After that, the Big Ten Tournament begins on March 8.

Chase Clark, G, 2021 6th RD, Sacred Heart Pioneers (14-17-3, 14-10-2)

Clark did not play in any games in February. His last game was on January 26. He is likely injured as he had been the starter for most of the season. For the season, he compiled a record of 8-10-1 in 19 games. His save percentage was .898 and his goals-against average was 3.03.  He made 482 saves in 537 chances.

The Sacred Heart Pioneers’ regular season is now complete and they will play in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament that runs from March 8 through March 10.

Ryan Chesley, RD, 2022 2nd RD, No. 8 Minnesota Golden Gophers (19-8-5, 12-6-4-1)

During February, Chesley played in all six of the Gophers’ games. He and his defensive partner, Carl Fish, have usually been the top pairing, but they also appeared as the third pairing for one game and the second pairing for another game.

Chesley did not score any goals in February but had one memorable assist. He earned the secondary assist on the game-winning overtime goal on February 17 against the Notre Dame Irish. After goaltender, Justen Close made a save on a 2-on-1 shot, Chesley moved the puck to teammate Aaron Huglen who made a stretch pass to Jimmy Snuggerud (St Louis Blues’ prospect) who skated to the center of the ice and snapped off a wrist shot for the game-winning goal 1:18. The final score was 3-2.

‘U’ Take Down Irish in Overtime Saturday – University of Minnesota Athletics (gophersports.com)

A B1G save on one end and then Jimmy Snuggerud finishes it off in OT for @GopherHockey! 😳 pic.twitter.com/7VotJwMq9M

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) February 18, 2024

Off the ice, on February 25, Chesley and his Gopher teammates who were also part of the 2024 USA World Juniors Gold Medal team met with Minnesota Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan, and posed for pictures.

These four Minnesotans helped bring home the gold for Team USA in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. We’re called the State of Hockey for a reason🥇

A big congratulations to Minnesota’s own Ryan Chesley, Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel, and Jimmy Snuggerud! pic.twitter.com/56UOe8OsbI

— Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (@LtGovFlanagan) February 25, 2024

For the season, Chesley has played in 32 games, scored two goals, and recorded five assists.  He also has made 52 shots on goal and blocked 63 shots.

The Golden Gophers have two more regular season games to play, both against the Michigan Wolverines. After that, the Big Ten Tournament begins on March 8.

Brent Johnson, RD, 2021 3rd RD, Ohio State Buckeyes (12-16-4, 3-16-2)

Johnson played in all six games that Ohio State played in February. He did not score any goals or record any assists in those six games. He did not take any penalties either.  In his most recent games, he blocked 5 shots during their 6-2 win against the Michigan State Spartans on February 13 and blocked 2 shots in a 5-2 loss to Michigan State.

His statistics for the season are 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in 32 games.

The Golden Gophers have two more regular season games to play, both against Penn State. After that, the Big Ten Tournament begins on March 8. He has made 46 shots on goal and blocked 52 shots.

Joaquim Lemay, LD, 2021 4th RD, No. 18 Omaha Mavericks (16-10-4, 9-8-3)

Joaquim Lemay played in all six of his team’s games during February. He scored no goals but recorded two assists against Minnesota-Duluth on February 3.

He recorded an assist during a 5-1 win on February 2 against Minnesota Duluth. His assist came at 5:36 on a short-handed goal by Jack Randl. Lemay had fired a shot towards the net. Randle corralled the rebound and potted the goal.

Who else but the Randy Man?!#OmahaHKY pic.twitter.com/Y4GtBuHBmU

— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) February 3, 2024

No. 20/19 Mavericks Down Bulldogs Under National Spotlight – University of Nebraska Omaha Athletics (omavs.com)

He recorded an assist during a 3-0 win on February 23 against Colorado College. He assisted on the team’s first goal which came at 16:30 into the first period which put the team ahead 1-0.

The Randy Man Can!🚨#OmahaHKY | @Jack_Randl pic.twitter.com/Jhvkp65K38

— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) February 24, 2024

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For the season, Lemay has played in 27 games, scored four goals, and had eight assists. He had 56 goals on shots and 15 blocked shots.

The Mavericks will have four more regular season games before the NCHC Quarterfinals which begins on March 15.

Latest Poll For February 2024

Below are the 2023-24 NCAA Division 1 Mens’ Hockey Week 20 rankings.

Photo: NCAA

By Diane Doyle