Jake Leschyshyn Bio
Jake Leschyshyn is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) under contract to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 10, 1999, Leschyshyn was selected 62nd overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The son of former NHL defenseman Curtis Leschyshyn, Jake has carved out his own professional career spanning both the NHL and AHL, having appeared in games with the Golden Knights, New York Rangers, and now the Sabres organization.
Early Life and Background
Jake Leschyshyn was born on March 10, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina, while his father Curtis Leschyshyn was playing for the Carolina Hurricanes. The family relocated to Colorado when Curtis joined the Colorado Avalanche, and it was there that Jake began playing organized hockey at age five in 2004. He played locally in Colorado through 2011, including time with the Colorado Thunderbirds U12 Pee Wee Major Team, before the family moved to Grasswood, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Upon settling in Saskatchewan, Leschyshyn continued his development in the Saskatoon minor hockey system, playing at the Pee Wee AA, Bantam AA, and Midget AAA levels. While with the Saskatoon Bantam AA Stallions during the 2013-14 season, he recorded an impressive 31 goals and 28 assists, demonstrating the offensive talent that would define his junior career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Leschyshyn’s strong minor hockey performance earned him a selection by the Red Deer Rebels sixth overall in the 2015 Western Hockey League (WHL) bantam draft. Though he attended the Rebels training camp, he was assigned to the Saskatoon Blazers of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League for the 2014-15 season, where he scored 15 goals and 20 assists in 38 games. His playing rights were traded to the Regina Pats in January 2015 in exchange for Connor Gay and several draft picks.
Leschyshyn joined the Pats full-time in March 2015 and immediately made his presence felt. He recorded his first WHL hat trick on November 27, 2015, during his first full season with the team. However, the 2016-17 season was cut short by a knee injury after he scored 17 goals and 40 points in 42 games. Despite the injury setback, his performance earned him a spot in the NHL draft, where the Vegas Golden Knights selected him in the second round with the 62nd overall pick in 2017.
Jake Leschyshyn Career
Junior Career (2015-2019)
Leschyshyn developed into a leader during his time with the Regina Pats, serving as alternate captain during the 2017-18 season before being named team captain for the 2018-19 campaign. His leadership and offensive contributions made him a cornerstone player for the organization. During that final season with the Pats, he was traded to the Lethbridge Hurricanes alongside Nick Henry, providing him with a fresh start with a new team as he approached professional hockey.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2019-2023)
Leschyshyn signed his entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on June 1, 2018, but was returned to the Pats for one more junior season before turning professional. He reported to the Golden Knights organization in April 2019, joining their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. He appeared in three games with the Wolves to conclude the 2018-19 season.
The 2019-20 season marked Leschyshyn’s first full professional campaign. He scored his first AHL goal on October 27, 2019, during a 4-0 shutout victory against the Manitoba Moose, and recorded his first AHL assist a month later against the Iowa Wild. He appeared in 61 games that season, contributing four goals and four assists.
During the 2020-21 season, Leschyshyn played for the Henderson Silver Knights, the Golden Knights’ new AHL affiliate, scoring the first goal in franchise history during their inaugural game. He finished the season with six goals and 11 points in 39 games. His NHL debut came on October 14, 2021, when he was called up due to injuries to Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. Less than a month later, on November 13, 2021, Leschyshyn scored his first career NHL goal and recorded his first career points during a 7-4 victory against the Vancouver Canucks. He also scored the game-winning goal on November 28, 2021, in a 6-5 comeback win over the Iowa Wild. Overall, he appeared in 41 games with the Golden Knights during the 2021-22 season, recording two goals and four assists.
On August 13, 2022, Leschyshyn signed a three-year contract to remain with the Golden Knights. However, after failing to record a point in 22 games during the 2022-23 season, he was placed on waivers on January 10, 2023.
New York Rangers Era (2023-2025)
One day after being waived by the Golden Knights, Leschyshyn was claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers on January 11, 2023. He appeared in 13 games with the Rangers during the remainder of the 2022-23 season. He was later assigned to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack to make room for a trade, where he flourished by recording five goals and 10 assists in 18 games, helping the Wolf Pack qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since 2015.
During the 2023-24 season, Leschyshyn appeared in only one NHL game with the Rangers, logging 6:28 of ice time in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The majority of his season was spent with Hartford, where he recorded eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 47 regular season games. He elevated his play during the playoffs, scoring the series-winning goal against the Providence Bruins to send the Wolf Pack to the division finals for the second consecutive year. He led the team in playoff goals with five in ten games and was recalled by the Rangers during their playoff run.
Following the 2024-25 season, Leschyshyn was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Rangers as a pending restricted free agent, ending his tenure with the organization.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2025-Present)
On July 16, 2025, Leschyshyn signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres for the 2025-26 season. He joined the Sabres organization, where he plays for their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, while remaining under NHL contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Leschyshyn plays the centre position and shoots left. Known for his two-way play, he brings solid defensive awareness alongside his offensive capabilities. His hockey lineage as the son of former NHL defenseman Curtis Leschyshyn has contributed to his understanding of the game at both ends of the rink. He has demonstrated the ability to contribute offensively in the AHL while adapting his game to earn opportunities at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments stand out in Leschyshyn’s career. Scoring his first NHL goal against the Vancouver Canucks on November 13, 2021, represented a significant milestone in his development. His game-winning goal against the Iowa Wild later that month showcased his ability to perform in clutch situations. The 2024 playoff performance with Hartford, where he led the team in postseason goals and delivered the series-winning strike against Providence, demonstrated his capacity to elevate his game when it matters most.
Jake Leschyshyn International Career
In 2015, Leschyshyn represented Canada at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge as a member of Canada Black, following in his father’s footsteps, as Curtis Leschyshyn had participated in the same tournament in 1986. During the tournament, Leschyshyn scored the game-winning goal in a shootout against the Czech Republic after the game went to six rounds. He finished the tournament with one goal and five assists in five games, including that memorable shootout winner.
Jake Leschyshyn Career Wins
Leschyshyn has accumulated wins across both junior and professional levels throughout his career. His most significant victories have come in the AHL playoffs with Hartford, including the 2024 playoff series win against Providence that propelled the Wolf Pack to the division finals.
Professional Highlights
At the AHL level, Leschyshyn’s most notable achievement came during the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs, where he led the Hartford Wolf Pack in goals with five in ten games and scored the series-winning goal against the Providence Bruins. His performance helped Hartford advance to the division finals for the second straight year. He also recorded the first goal in Henderson Silver Knights franchise history during their inaugural season. In the NHL, his standout moment remains his first career goal against the Vancouver Canucks on November 13, 2021, during his debut season with the Golden Knights.
Jake Leschyshyn Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Jake Leschyshyn comes from a distinguished hockey family. His father, Curtis Leschyshyn, was a longtime NHL defenseman who played primarily for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, and Carolina Hurricanes during a career spanning multiple decades. Curtis’s NHL experience provided Jake with a unique perspective on professional hockey from an early age. The family connection to hockey extends internationally, as both Jake and his father represented Canada at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, with Curtis participating in the 1986 edition and Jake in 2015.
Personal Life
Leschyshyn was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, while his father was playing for the Carolina Hurricanes. The family later moved to Colorado when Curtis joined the Avalanche, and eventually settled in Saskatchewan, Canada. Jake spent his formative years in both countries, which contributed to his identity as an American-born Canadian. He has two siblings, though detailed personal information about his family beyond his parents remains private. His upbringing split between the United States and Canada has shaped his perspective on the sport and his path to professional hockey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 offseason marked a new chapter in Leschyshyn’s career when he signed with the Buffalo Sabres organization on July 16, 2025. The one-year, two-way contract provided him with an opportunity to compete for NHL minutes with the Sabres while continuing his development with their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. His transition to the Sabres organization represents a fresh start following his time with the Rangers, where limited NHL opportunities led to his departure as a restricted free agent.
Leschyshyn brings AHL playoff experience and a track record of scoring important goals at the minor league level. The Americans have historically been a competitive AHL franchise, and his addition provides depth at the centre position. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility makes him a valuable two-way option for the organization. The Sabres are in a period of roster evolution, and players like Leschyshyn who can shuttle between the NHL and AHL provide valuable organizational flexibility.
The outlook for Leschyshyn in the 2025-26 season centers on establishing himself as a consistent contributor with Rochester while pushing for NHL recall opportunities. His career path demonstrates resilience, having navigated through multiple organizations and levels throughout his professional journey. With the Sabres organization, he has the chance to showcase his skills in a new environment and compete for a more permanent NHL role as the season progresses.