Ryerson Leenders

Ryerson Leenders
Born (2006-06-01) June 1, 2006 (age 18)
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 Brantford Bulldogs
NHL draft 219th overall, 2024
Buffalo Sabres

Ryerson Leenders (born June 1, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was selected 219th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

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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] After finishing the season with 24 wins, a .909 save percentage, and three shutouts,[7] Leenders was injured early the playoffs, playing only two games in a first round exit at the hands of the Sudbury Wolves.[8][9] 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.[10][11] He would be selected in the seventh round, 219th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, their final pick of the draft.[7][12]

On August 29, 2024, Leenders was traded from the Steelheads to the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for eight draft picks, including three in the second round.[7]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2024 Finland
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Gold medal – first place 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.[13]

Leenders represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships.[14] In his lone start at the event, a 7–1 victory over Switzerland, he made 25 saves on 26 shots.[6]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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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

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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 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1 1 0 0 60 1 0 1.00 .963
Junior totals 4 1 3 0 232 16 0

References

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  1. ^ "Ryerson Leenders". gojhl.ca. Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  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. ^ a b Reimer, Dayton (June 12, 2024). "Ryerson Leenders – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Duthie, Reed (August 29, 2024). "Bulldogs acquire Ryerson Leenders From Steelheads". chl.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Sweetland, Josh (April 5, 2024). "Series HQ: Mississauga vs. Sudbury". chl.ca. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Lysowski, Lance (June 29, 2024). "Sabres use their final pick of 2024 draft on goalie Ryerson Leenders". Buffalo News. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Colpitts, Iain (August 8, 2023). "Mississauga Steelheads duo win gold with Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". mississauga.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "MacDougall praises Leenders' performance: 'Outstanding goaltending'". tsn.ca. The Sports Network. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
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