Washington Capitals forward Ryan Leonard is adjusting to life on his own for the first time during his NHL rookie season. After staying with teammate Pierre-Luc Dubois, the 20-year-old has moved into his own apartment, facing the challenges of adulthood alongside his professional hockey career. Leonard has recorded 11 points in 23 games so far.
Ryan Leonard's transition to the NHL has included more than just on-ice adjustments; it's also marked by his first experience living independently. The 2023 eighth-overall pick began his rookie season staying with teammate Pierre-Luc Dubois, his wife Maddie, and their three dogs, where he had his own room and helped with chores like cooking and laundry when possible.
Now, with the Dubois family expecting their first child, Leonard has moved to his own apartment in Arlington, Virginia. 'It's good. It's unique, but it's good,' Leonard told The Hockey News. 'Just being by myself most of the day, it's a lot different than being at Dubie's house... it was a big adjustment at the start.'
The biggest challenge has been managing downtime after practices. While teammates return home to families, Leonard often spends time alone, turning to Netflix, walks around the city, and self-reflection. 'You have so much more downtime, you have time to yourself, and either that's a good thing or a bad thing,' he said. 'Bad thing some days, depending on the day, but some days when you really get to reflect and think a lot about what I can do better on and off the ice.'
Leonard handles his own laundry and dishes now, but relies on takeout and meals at teammates' homes for food. He has cooked minimally, to the point where teammates joke about not trusting him with a Thanksgiving turkey. Brandon Duhaime has mentored him, even taking him to Costco for pots and pans, though the trip ended with samples and Doritos instead.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery emphasized the importance of off-ice maturation. 'When you get, "Alright, you're out" and you learn quickly about all those things that you maybe took for granted a little bit... That's all stuff that he's kind of learning on the fly,' Carbery said. Teammates like Duhaime praise Leonard's personality, calling him a 'great, genuine kid' who fits well in the locker room.