After helping lead the Charlotte Checkers to the 2025 Calder Cup Finals, John Leonard hopes to do the same for the Griffins this season.

In the Leonard family tree, where basketball runs deep through its winding roots, hockey turned into the breakout branch for John and his brother Ryan. 

“We played every sport you could think of,” Leonard said. “I think that’s kind of what helped us in hockey too, just because we weren’t stressed or pressured to do anything. We could kind of just do whatever we had a passion for and loved. That’s what our parents stressed the most. We played pickup basketball a lot as well, and obviously my brother and I chose the hockey route.”

Their father, John Sr., was a four-year letterman, team captain his senior year and two-time team Most Valuable Player with the Manhattan College men’s basketball team from 1978-82. He was selected in the 10th round (No. 211 overall) of the 1982 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks and went on to coach at the collegiate level for roughly three decades. 

Then there’s their two older sisters, Alyssa and Brianna, who enjoyed standout careers at Amherst Regional High School before playing Division III women’s basketball at Castleton State College – now Vermont State University Castleton – and Eastern Connecticut State University, respectively.

But the older Leonard brother is viewed as the trailblazer in his athletic household. 

A native of Amherst, Massachusetts, Leonard played three seasons (2012-15) at Springfield Cathedral High School in Massachusetts, totaling an impressive 151 points (91 goals, 60 assists) in 72 games. After spending two seasons (2015-17) with the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League, the skilled forward spent three seasons (2017-20) at the University of Massachusetts, recording 105 points (56 goals, 49 assists) and a plus-30 rating in 106 games. 

“I was the first person on either side of my family, and extended, to play hockey,” said Leonard, who as a junior in 2019-20 led the NCAA with 27 goals to set a UMass Division I single-season record and become a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top men’s player in Division I ice hockey. “We settled in Massachusetts because of my dad, and I just kind of started skating when he was coaching basketball to kill some time. I fell in love with it, and the next thing you know I’m going to prep school about 30 minutes away from my hometown. Definitely grateful for all of that, for sure.”

When the San Jose Sharks selected Leonard in the sixth round (No. 182 overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he received a once-in-a-lifetime phone call that he cherishes to this day. 

“It was a really cool moment,” Leonard said. “It was my last year of eligibility for the draft, and to be honest I wasn’t really expecting to hear my name be called or anything. It was after my freshman year of college, so obviously grateful for that. I loved my time there and met some really awesome people along the way.”

While the teams he’s played for and the leagues he’s been part of have changed over the years, the 5-foot-11, 196-pound forward's demeanor and attitude haven’t swayed.  

“You never take anything for granted,” Leonard said. “You’re always grateful for those opportunities that you do get, and when you get them you try to make the most of them. You learn a lot of awesome lessons along the way about just finding your game as quickly as possible when you do get them. It’s nothing to be afraid of, and obviously it’s a big step, but you’re there for a reason.”

Transitioning between the AHL and NHL isn’t always seamless, but Leonard said he’s been able to stay true to his identity amid what often feels like constant change. 

“You’ve got to be yourself and embrace it,” Leonard said. “Obviously, every team, whether you’re there for a few years or not, you just got to be yourself and embrace it. In the business we’re in, there are people going different places all the time, so you just have to be yourself and have fun with it. Be a good guy and the rest will take care of itself.”

That’s exactly how Leonard has been traversing the 2025-26 campaign, his first with the Grand Rapids Griffins. As of Feb. 24, he had also recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in nine contests with the Detroit Red Wings. 

“It’s an extremely historic organization and one that I’m really proud to be part of,” said Leonard, who signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings last summer as a free agent. “[I had] some really good phone calls with some really good people about opportunities and things like that when I first joined, so obviously I was extremely excited to come here. It’s been an awesome start so far and a good group of guys.”

Going into the AHL’s All-Star break, Leonard led Grand Rapids in both goals (26) and points (40) through just 32 games. The 27-year-old forward also ranked second in the league in goals, trailing only fellow forward Arthur Kaliyev of the Belleville Senators, who had notched 29 in 47 contests.

“I don’t think I’ve changed a whole lot in my game,” Leonard said. “I think I’ve just trusted my ability and have been put into some good situations to have that sort of success. The coaching staff has a good belief in me doing those sorts of things. I’m also playing with really good players, so all those types of things add up. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Leonard’s all-around impact has been instrumental in fueling the Griffins' success this season – one of the most dominant starts in AHL history. 

“Honestly, we have a got a great coaching staff and great group of guys,” Leonard said. “Good goaltending and special teams, everything has been really good. As the year goes on, games will get more challenging. We still have to find a way to be that consistent team that we have been all year. It’s a long year and a grind, but it’s a lot of fun when you’re winning games like we have been.”

Leonard knows what it’s like to play those meaningful games, having recorded 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 18 postseason contests with the Charlotte Checkers last season and helping them reach the Calder Cup Finals. He believes that experience will prove valuable as the Griffins gear up for the stretch run and a deep playoff push. 

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to help younger guys as much as I can the same way that older guys helped me when I was younger,” Leonard said. “You try to lead by example. You talk to them when you can. Whether it’s about hockey or not, you try to make them feel as comfortable as you can. I try to do that as much as I can.”

Watson described Leonard as a “quiet leader” and a player that has great anticipation as well as situational awareness. 

“He leads by example,” Watson said of Leonard. “He shows up to work every day with a really good attitude. He’s an offensive weapon, but he can skate. He’s another guy that defensively, he can get back into the zone and defend. He anticipates plays extremely well and has the ability to cut plays off. He can create offense from our own zone, whether its breakaways or getting his linemates opportunities. Then when he has the puck on his stick, he’s a shooting threat every time he’s in the zone. Other teams have to prepare for that, and I just think he’s a special player at this level because of the way he can produce offense.”

But just because Leonard and other veterans on the club have the experience, Watson pointed out, doesn’t mean that they’re automatically slotted into increased roles. Like any player, those responsibilities are earned, not given.

“Yes, we don’t want to put guys in positions where they are going to fail, but we want to make sure they’re going to be ready for those opportunities,” Watson said. “Whether that is power-play minutes, penalty-kill minutes or playing up in the lineup, we want them to be prepared. That’s made possible through practice, video and extra skill work so that when they do have those opportunities, they’re being simple and hard to play against.”

There’s a lot going on in John’s world, but one thing is for certain: he always makes time to cheer on and follow his younger brother.

Originally selected by the Washington Capitals with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan signed a three-year entry-level deal with the club on March 31, 2025. Going into the NHL’s Olympic break, the 21-year-old forward had tallied 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 52 games as a rookie skating in his first full season for the Capitals. 

“We talk as much as we can,” John said. “Obviously, sometimes it’s hard. If we’re playing on different nights, then we’re not talking as much. We try to watch as many games as we can of each other. As much as we can, we’ll talk. Whether it’s about hockey or not, I’m there for him and he’s there for me. We’ve gotten closer as every year goes on. I’m super proud of him, and he’s been on a fun journey.”

That familial support helps fuel John’s personal drive, with his focus staying locked in on consistently contributing on a nightly basis. 

“I want to continue doing the things that I’m doing,” Leonard said. “I want to help the team offensively and defensively, just be a guy they can count on no matter what the situation is. Whether you’re down a goal or up a goal, the kind of player that I want to be is the one who is being put into all those situations and helping the team.”

As for the Griffins, Leonard said it’s a lot of fun being part of a squad that thrives on a mix of camaraderie and heightened focus. And as he looks to the months ahead, it’s about keeping the good times going on and off the ice. 

“We’re a really fun group with a lot of different personalities,” Leonard said. “We like to keep it pretty loose, and when it’s time to lock it in, be focused and business-like, we’re able to flip that switch pretty quickly and do that. Anytime, no matter what team I’ve been on in the past, you can have that kind of loose style and joke around while also being closer to each other, then if you’re able to get ready when it’s time to do so…that’s what matters the most. We’ve done a good job of that so far and hopefully, we can continue to do it.” 

Jonathan Mills has served as the Detroit Red Wings’ team reporter since the 2021-22 season. He’s covered a broad array of sports and events, including roles at U.S. Figure Skating and the University of Wisconsin athletics department. He earned his master’s degree in sports media from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications after receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins