Ryan Leonard Named the 73rd Recipient of the Walter Brown Award

BOSTON – Gridiron Club of Greater Boston president Tim Whelan Jr. announced today that Boston College sophomore forward Ryan Leonard is the recipient of the 73rd Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born Division I college hockey player in New England.

Entering the NCAA Tournament, Leonard leads the nation in both goals with 29 and game-winning goals with nine. The Massachusetts native also has 19 assists for a total of 47 assists. Leonard was named the Hockey East Player of the Year and a Hockey East First Team All-Star, and is one of ten finalists for the 2025 Hobey Baker Award. He captained the United States to a gold medal at the 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, the first-time the U.S. won gold in back-to-back years for the first time in the history of the tournament.

"Boston College could not be more proud of Ryan Leonard and his selection as this year's Walter Brown Award recipient. Ryan has been a leader on and off the ice. He is an alternate captain as a sophomore and is a consistent volunteer for our numerous community service events, including the annual game with the New England Jumbos and reading to children at local schools," said head coach Greg Brown.

"Ryan's scoring ability is second to none. After an outstanding freshman season where he tallied 31 goals, he currently leads the nation with 29. Ryan's intensity and competitiveness are a catalyst for the team's success. The team won the Hockey East Regular Season trophy and secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. In addition to this, Ryan also served as captain for the 2025 U.S. World Junior team, which won a second consecutive gold medal with a 4-3 overtime victory over Finland.

"Ryan is a diligent student who carries over a 3.2 GPA in the Morrissey School of Arts and Sciences. Ryan is an outstanding representative of Boston College and he embodies everything the Walter Brown Award stands for," added Brown, who was the Walter Brown Award winner in 1990.

The nation's oldest nationally-recognized college hockey honor, the Walter Brown Award was established in 1953 by the members of the 1933 Massachusetts Rangers, the first American team ever to win the World Championship Tournament. Brown coached the Rangers to the title in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where the team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the championship game. The Walter Brown Award will be presented at the New England Hockey Writers' Dinner on April 22nd.

Boston College Walter Brown Award Winners

1954: Bob Babine
1961: Tom Martin
1963: Bill Hogan
1966: John Cunniff
1967: Jerry York
1968: Tim Sheehy
1969: Paul Hurley
1970: Tim Sheehy
1973: Tom Mellor
1976: Richie Smith
1978: Joe Mullen
1980: Bill Army
1981: Mark Switaj
1986: Scott Harlow (co-winner)
1987: Brian Leetch
1990: Greg Brown
1991: Dave Emma
1999: Mike Mottau (co-winner)
2001: Brian Gionta (co-winner)
2006: Chris Collins
2011: John Muse
2013: Steve Whitney
2014: Johnny Gaudreau
2024: Cutter Gauthier
2025: Ryan Leonard

Ryan Leonard Named the 73rd Recipient of the Walter Brown Award

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