According to Inside AHL Hockey’s Tony Androckitis, the Hershey Bears made a strong push to sign 26-year-old forward John Leonard—older brother of 2023 Capitals first-round pick Ryan Leonard—to a substantial AHL contract.
Androckitis reported that several sources close to both Hershey and Charlotte confirmed the Bears’ aggressive pursuit of Leonard, who was a pending AHL free agent. However, Leonard had multiple offers on the table and ultimately accepted a one-year, $775,000 NHL contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
Leonard’s deal will pay him $775,000 whether he plays in the NHL or AHL during the 2025–26 season. If Detroit tries to assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, he’ll first have to clear waivers.
Hershey’s interest in Leonard comes amid uncertainty surrounding their veteran roster. Key players like Mike Sgarbossa (signed with HC Lugano) and Ethan Bear (now with the New York Islanders) have already moved on. Others—Hunter Shepard, Pierrick Dube, Alex Limoges, Luke Philp, Mike Vecchione, and Chase Priskie (traded to Minnesota)—are also entering free agency.
Leonard had a standout 2024–25 season with the Charlotte Checkers, racking up 61 points (36 goals, 25 assists) in 72 games. His 36 goals tied for second-most in the AHL, including 10 on the power play and five shorthanded, which led the league. In the playoffs, he added eight goals in 16 games, including four more shorties, playing a key role in Charlotte’s run to the Calder Cup Finals. Notably, he was instrumental in the Checkers’ sweep of the Hershey Bears in the Atlantic Division Finals, scoring twice in the three-game series and netting the game-winner in Game 1.
Ryan Leonard was spotted supporting his brother at Game 3 of the Bears-Checkers series, sitting alongside Capitals players Dylan McIlrath and Ethen Frank.
Had the Bears signed John Leonard, the Capitals organization would’ve had its third pair of brothers, joining Dylan and Matt Strome and Aliaksei and Ilya Protas.
