While the final four NHL teams contend to earn their spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals, the AHL just witnessed a huge Calder Cup Playoffs upset. After two back-to-back losses against the Charlotte Checkers, two-time defending champions Hershey Bears found themselves in a do-or-die situation in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division finals. And with his NHL season ending in Round 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Washington Capitals’ rising star Ryan Leonard dropped by Giant Center to watch the crucial game.

Leonard, who had the golden opportunity to play his first NHL playoffs within a month after signing with the Washington Capitals, was there to support his brother. The former Boston College Eagles player’s older brother, John Leonard, was part of the Charlotte Checkers team leading the Bears 2-0. Leonard didn’t go there alone. Capitals teammates Ethen Frank and Dylan McIlrath, and AHL star Joe Snively, accompanied him.

While all four hockey players had their NHL connection (Snively is under contract with the Detroit Red Wings), there was one thing that Ryan Leonard didn’t share with others. He wasn’t a Calder Cup champion. So when they announced their names in Giant Center, Leonard decided to resort to some shenanigans.

“When they announced the former three Calder Cup champs, he ducked out of view of the camera,” posted RMNB writer Ian Oland. Frank, McIlrath, and Snively all played for the Hershey Bears at one point in their careers, while Leonard skipped the AHL outright, playing his first NHL playoffs at just 20.

Ryan Leonard must’ve also left Giant Center in a good mood because his brother John and the Checkers won the divisional final. The Checkers pulled off a huge upset, sweeping the defending champions and rained on their parade of completing a Calder Cup hat trick. While the Bears still got a standing ovation from the crowd, the 20-year-old congratulated his older brother after Game 3 for making the conference finals. That being said, the rising star isn’t done making his NHL appearances for the 2024-25 season.

Ryan Leonard will return for the Stanley Cup final

While the AHL divisional final was a nice detour, the 20-year-old’s NHL commitments aren’t over yet. Now, you may be wondering how that’s possible after the Washington Capitals bowed out 4-1 in their Round 2 series against the Carolina Hurricanes. While the former Boston College star won’t be playing, he’ll be part of the Stanley Cup final night thanks to a special broadcast show.

Ryan Leonard and Brandon Duhaime will host the special ‘Stanley Pup’ show. The special league-sponsored show is part of the NHL’s efforts to encourage and support dog adoptions across the U.S. and Canada. Leonard and Duhaime will introduce some of this year’s dogs during the broadcast, as per the Washington Times.

Similar to the ‘Puppy Bowl’ football fans enjoy every February, the dogs will participate in some competitive games just to prove how adorable they are. “We love being able to support great causes and knowing that even more participating dogs will find permanent homes this year is very fulfilling for the League,” said NHL president of content and events, Steve Mayer. Last year, fans had the pleasure of knowing the likes of Alex Ofetchkin, Connor McDoodle, and Sergei Bobruffsky. So expect nothing less this year.

Meanwhile, Ryan Leonard will continue to hone his skills in the offseason. The college hockey star made a lot of noise when he signed with the Capitals in March. However, he also has his hands full with college duties. “Ryan Leonard is still pursuing a degree right now. He had a quiz he had to turn in on Sunday on Long Island after the Alex Ovechkin record-breaking goal…” beat reporter Sammi Silber posted on April 8.

Leonard revealed he didn’t want to drop out of college without completing his communications degree. “You don’t know how long you’re playing the sport for, so to have a degree you can look back on and enjoyed and worked hard towards it, it’s pretty important,” the Capitals’ player said. So it’s safe to say he’ll be busy in the off-season.