Forward John Leonard competed in his first season with the Griffins and showed 54 points (33-21—54), 12 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating in 47 regular-season games, adding five points (1-4—5) in eight postseason outings. He was named to his second straight AHL All-Star Classic and was dubbed the Fortune Tires “Expect More” Player of the Month for November, becoming just the third player in franchise history to win the award. Leonard was also named to the AHL Second All-Star Team for the second straight season. The 27-year-old tallied a team-best six-game goal streak from Oct. 11-Nov. 2, which marked a career high, and a 10-game point streak from Oct. 10-Nov. 19, which set a career best and a new franchise record to begin a season. 

Leonard ranked among the AHL’s regular-season leaders in goals (2nd), shorthanded goals (5, T1st) and game-winners (8, T2nd). Leonard also places among the top 10 single-season efforts in franchise history in goals (T7th), shorthanded goals (T1st), game-winners (T5th), first goals (8, T5th), unassisted goals (4, T5th), shootout percentage (.750, T6th) and shooting percentage (.205, T2nd).

With the Detroit Red Wings, Leonard registered four points (2-2—4) and a minus-three rating in 11 outings. He made his Red Wings debut on Dec. 16 against the New York Islanders and enjoyed a three-game point streak from Dec. 17-21 (2-1—3). 

Regular Season Stat Line

47 GP, 33 goals, 21 assists, 54 points, +8 rating, 12 PIM with GRG
11 GP, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, -3 rating, 0 PIM with DET 

Postseason Stat Line

8 GP, 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points, +2 rating, 2 PIM with GRG

Contract Status 

Under contract by Detroit through the 2026-27 season 

By the Numbers 

33 – Thirty-three goals were the second-most in his career, ranked first on the roster, placed second in the AHL and tied for seventh for the most goals in a single season in team history

2 – Named to the AHL All-Star Classic and to the AHL Second All-Star Team for the second straight season

3 – Named the Fortune Tires “Expect More” Player of the Month for November with 16 points (9-7—16) in 10 games, becoming just the third player in franchise history to win the award

6 – Team-best six-game goal streak from Oct. 11-Nov. 2, which marked a career high

10 – Ten-game point streak from Oct. 10-Nov. 19 (11-6—17), which set a career best and a new franchise record to begin a season

4 – Registered four points (2-2—4) and a minus-three rating in 11 NHL outings with Detroit

3 – Enjoyed a three-game point streak in NHL from Dec. 17-21 (2-1—3) 

30 – Scored 30th goal in 38th game on March 24 against Milwaukee 

20.5 – Recorded a 20.5 shooting percentage on 161 shots, which tied for second in franchise history for a single season

14 – Amassed 14 multi-point outings, including five games with three points and five multi-goal contests

3 – Third-career AHL hat trick on Jan. 21 against the Milwaukee Admirals 

8 – Career-high eight game-winners, which tied for second in the AHL 

12 – Sidelined for 12 straight games from Jan. 31-Feb. 28 due to rehabbing a lower-body injury, returning on March 4

10 – Collected an assist in Griffins debut on Oct. 10 at the Texas Stars, which was his 100th as a pro in 250th AHL game

200 – Registered 200th pro point with an assist on Nov. 9 at the Chicago Wolves 

3 – Three points (1-2—3) on Nov. 19 at the Rockford IceHogs, which included 100th pro goal

100 – Two goals on Dec. 3 against the Cleveland Monsters, including 100th AHL goal

200 – Notched 200th AHL point with a goal on Dec. 13 against Rockford 

100 – Totaled 100th AHL assist on Jan. 3 at the Chicago Wolves 

Newsworthy

Griffins see bright future with veteran core, Red Wings prospects - mlive.com

Detroit Red Wings top forward prospect delivers again in AHL playoffs

Griffins survive in OT to extend series with Wolves | TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League

2025-26 First and Second All-Star Teams unveiled | TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League

Grand Rapids Griffins | Dani Leonard Q&A

Griffins Get Offensive Boost With Return of Mazur and Leonard | Detroit Hockey Now

Grand Rapids Griffins | Stretch-Run Scoring

Grand Rapids Griffins | COSSA, LEONARD AND SHINE TO PARTICIPATE IN…

All photos by Grand Rapids Griffins