Ryerson Leenders
Born (2006-06-01) June 1, 2006 (age 17)
Nanticoke, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
OHL team Mississauga Steelheads

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

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, he was chosen as a top draft-eligible prospect to attend the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.[3] His positioning, reflexes, and movement, as well as his success on a team with a struggling defense group, were among the qualities that led some scouts to project him as a first-round pick.[5][6]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
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.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

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
OHL totals 35 12 15 3 1,877 109 0 3.48 .879 6 2 4 337 22 0 3.92 .861

International

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
Junior totals 3 0 3 0 172 15 0 5.23 .847

References

  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. ^ a b 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. ^ Kelly, Lauren (November 2, 2023). "OHL Stock Watch: Luke Misa lighting the scoresheet on fire for Mississauga". eprinkside.com. Elite. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Colpitts, Iain (August 8, 2023). "Mississauga Steelheads duo win gold with Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". mississauga.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.

External links

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