Ryerson Leenders

Ryerson Leenders (born June 1, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was selected 219th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 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. He made his OHL debut in the 2022–23 season, posting his first win on October 16, 2022, against the Sarnia Sting. 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.

In the 2023–24 season, Leenders recorded his first career shutout, against the Erie Otters on September 29, 2023. 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. Leenders was injured early the playoffs, playing only two games in a first round exit at the hands of the Sudbury Wolves. 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. He would be selected 219th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, their final pick of the draft.

International play

Leenders played for Team Canada Black at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.

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.

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

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

References

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database