University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: THOM KENDALL FOR UMASS ATHLETICS
Hockey’s Leonard Tabbed A First-Team All-American
April 11, 2020 | Hockey
The Hobey Baker Top Ten Finalist collects the 11th All-America award in program history and third in the past two seasons.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey junior forward John Leonard has been recognized as a 2019-20 CCM/AHCA Hockey All-American, announced on Saturday by the American Hockey Coaches Association. The Amherst, Massachusetts native is one of six first team selections from the East, the 10th player in UMass history to earn All-America distinction. In total nine individuals who have worn the Maroon and White have garnered a total of 11 All-America awards since 1972.
Just the third Minuteman in program history to be named a Top Ten Finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Leonard led the nation in goals (27) this season and paced UMass with 37 points. He chipped in 10 assists and was +17 in 33 games, as well. The First-Team Hockey East All-Star's 21 tallies in league play were not only a program record, but marked the most by any Hockey East player since Cam Atkinson had 24 for Boston College in 2010-11. In total, 29 of Leonard's 37 points came in Hockey East contests and included five game-winning goals over 23 league games. He also became UMass' first-ever winner of the Hockey East PNC Bank Three Stars Award.
Nationally, Leonard also ranked first in goals per-game this season at 0.82, tied for first in game-winning goals with six and was one of just three players to record two hat tricks in 2019-20. He finished in the top-20 in points per-game, coming in at 16th in the nation at a 1.12 clip.
Having a reputation for coming through in the clutch, Leonard led the nation in third period goals (16), third period points (21) and game-winning goals (four) scored in the final frame. He tied for the nation's lead in game-winning goals (six) overall and hat tricks (two) and posted a nation's-best seven multi-goal games, 21 even strength goals and 21 goals in UMass wins.
While many critics predicted UMass would see a drop-off in success after the departure of 2019 Hobey Baker winner Cale Makar and second-round draft pick Mario Ferraro for the NHL at the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign, Leonard helped the program remain contenders for a second straight NCAA Tournament berth. UMass finished eighth in the PairWise rankings and spent 22 straight weeks in the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls.
With UMass ravaged with injuries over the final month of the season to the tune of 26 man-games lost, Leonard put the team on his back, leading the nation with 2.14 points per-game, 1.43 goals per-game and 10 goals since February 1. He also had three-game winners, helping UMass go 5-2-0 over that stretch and secure the No. 2 spot in the Hockey East standings.
A three-time Hockey East Player of the Week selection this season, Leonard etched his name into the UMass record book in 2019-20. He set the program's single-season Division I era goals record, which ranks fourth all-time, and became just the sixth member of the 50-goal, 100-point club in UMass history, the first to reach the milestone as a junior in the Division I era. Leonard knocked off both the single-season (6) and career records for game-winning goals (10), as well.
After recently signing with the San Jose Sharks, Leonard finishes his UMass career fourth all-time in program history for career goals (56), tied for fifth in career plus/minus (30), tied for eighth in career points (105) and tied for eighth in career power-play goals (16).
For continued coverage of UMass Hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
Just the third Minuteman in program history to be named a Top Ten Finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Leonard led the nation in goals (27) this season and paced UMass with 37 points. He chipped in 10 assists and was +17 in 33 games, as well. The First-Team Hockey East All-Star's 21 tallies in league play were not only a program record, but marked the most by any Hockey East player since Cam Atkinson had 24 for Boston College in 2010-11. In total, 29 of Leonard's 37 points came in Hockey East contests and included five game-winning goals over 23 league games. He also became UMass' first-ever winner of the Hockey East PNC Bank Three Stars Award.
Nationally, Leonard also ranked first in goals per-game this season at 0.82, tied for first in game-winning goals with six and was one of just three players to record two hat tricks in 2019-20. He finished in the top-20 in points per-game, coming in at 16th in the nation at a 1.12 clip.
Having a reputation for coming through in the clutch, Leonard led the nation in third period goals (16), third period points (21) and game-winning goals (four) scored in the final frame. He tied for the nation's lead in game-winning goals (six) overall and hat tricks (two) and posted a nation's-best seven multi-goal games, 21 even strength goals and 21 goals in UMass wins.
While many critics predicted UMass would see a drop-off in success after the departure of 2019 Hobey Baker winner Cale Makar and second-round draft pick Mario Ferraro for the NHL at the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign, Leonard helped the program remain contenders for a second straight NCAA Tournament berth. UMass finished eighth in the PairWise rankings and spent 22 straight weeks in the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls.
With UMass ravaged with injuries over the final month of the season to the tune of 26 man-games lost, Leonard put the team on his back, leading the nation with 2.14 points per-game, 1.43 goals per-game and 10 goals since February 1. He also had three-game winners, helping UMass go 5-2-0 over that stretch and secure the No. 2 spot in the Hockey East standings.
A three-time Hockey East Player of the Week selection this season, Leonard etched his name into the UMass record book in 2019-20. He set the program's single-season Division I era goals record, which ranks fourth all-time, and became just the sixth member of the 50-goal, 100-point club in UMass history, the first to reach the milestone as a junior in the Division I era. Leonard knocked off both the single-season (6) and career records for game-winning goals (10), as well.
After recently signing with the San Jose Sharks, Leonard finishes his UMass career fourth all-time in program history for career goals (56), tied for fifth in career plus/minus (30), tied for eighth in career points (105) and tied for eighth in career power-play goals (16).
For continued coverage of UMass Hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
Players Mentioned
NewMass Minute; Onto TD Garden
Tuesday, March 17
UMass IH | Broadcast Highlights vs Northeastern Hockey East QF | 03.14.26
Saturday, March 14
UMass IH | Post Game Press Conference vs Northeastern Hockey East QF | 03.14.26
Saturday, March 14
UMass IH | Coach Greg Carvel Post Game Press Conference vs Northeastern Hockey East QF | 03.14.26
Saturday, March 14