The Detroit Red Wings have reassigned forward John Leonard to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, amid the 2025-26 season. Leonard, a key offensive player, moves to Grand Rapids as part of the team’s ongoing roster adjustments.
Leonard’s Performance This Season and Career Highlights
John Leonard, 27, has contributed four points (two goals and two assists) in nine games with the Red Wings this season. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 192 pounds, Leonard has appeared in 34 games for the Griffins this year, leading the team with 27 goals and 41 points. His scoring prowess also includes three power-play goals (tied for fifth on the team), three shorthanded goals (first on the team), eight game-winning goals (first), 116 shots (third), and a shooting percentage of 23.3, the highest on the Griffins.
Previously, Leonard spent the entire 2024-25 season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where he tallied 61 points (36 goals, 25 assists) and posted a plus-21 rating in 72 regular-season games. His efforts earned him a selection to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic and placement on the league’s Second All-Star Team. During the playoffs, Leonard added 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 18 contests, helping lead Charlotte to the 2025 Calder Cup Finals.
Leonard was originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round, 182nd overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Since 2020-21, he has accumulated 21 points (eight goals and 13 assists) over 79 NHL games with the Sharks, Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, and Detroit Red Wings. His extensive AHL experience includes 212 points (110 goals, 102 assists) and 72 penalty minutes across 283 games with the San Jose Barracuda, Milwaukee Admirals, Tucson Roadrunners, Charlotte Checkers, and Grand Rapids Griffins.
Background and Development Before Turning Professional
A native of Westwood, New Jersey, Leonard played three seasons at the University of Massachusetts from 2017 to 2020. During that time, he scored 105 points (56 goals, 49 assists) with a plus-30 rating in 106 games. Leonard’s junior year was particularly noteworthy when he led the NCAA with 27 goals in 33 games, earning First Team All-American recognition and a spot on the All-Hockey East First Team in 2019-20. His sophomore season earned him placement on the All-Hockey East Second Team while contributing to the Minutemen’s Hockey East regular-season title in 2018-19.
Before his collegiate career, Leonard spent two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League, recording 43 points (24 goals, 19 assists) and a plus-four rating. He also competed for Springfield (Massachusetts) Cathedral High School for three years, amassing 151 points (91 goals, 60 assists) in 72 games. Internationally, Leonard represented Team USA at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, posting two points (one goal, one assist) in four games.
Family Connections and NHL Draft History
John Leonard’s younger brother, Ryan Leonard, was chosen eighth overall in the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, continuing the family’s hockey legacy. John Leonard’s journey from college to professional hockey shows steady progression through various leagues and teams.
Impact of Leonard’s Assignment and Future Outlook
Sending Leonard to Grand Rapids underscores the Detroit Red Wings’ efforts to manage their roster and provide top scorers with ample ice time to develop and contribute. With Leonard leading the Griffins in several offensive categories, this assignment aims to maximize his impact while allowing the Red Wings to evaluate roster needs moving forward. Monitoring Leonard’s performance with Grand Rapids will be critical for Detroit as the season progresses and decisions about future NHL contributions are considered. The move also offers Leonard a chance to maintain his scoring momentum and leadership role in the AHL.
