Ryan McLeod Bio
Ryan McLeod is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on September 21, 1999, in Mississauga, Ontario, he previously played for the Edmonton Oilers after being selected 40th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 188 pounds, McLeod is known for his two-way play, skating ability, and reliability on the penalty kill. His journey from the Greater Toronto Hockey League to the NHL reflects steady development across junior, American Hockey League (AHL), and top-tier competition.
Ryan McLeod Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Ryan McLeod was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, the son of Richard and Judi McLeod. He first learned to skate on his family’s backyard rink at the age of 18 months, an early start that helped shape his comfort and confidence on the ice. McLeod grew up in a hockey-driven household, and his two older brothers also pursued professional careers: Matt McLeod plays for the Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland, while Michael McLeod plays in Russia. This family connection to the sport provided a constant source of motivation and guidance throughout his development.
As a child, McLeod followed the NHL closely, listing himself as a fan of both the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He leaned toward the Oilers because his favourite player growing up was Ryan Smyth, a former Oilers left winger known for his scoring touch and leadership. That admiration for Smyth foreshadowed McLeod’s own eventual path to Edmonton.
Ryan McLeod Path to Hockey
Path to Hockey
McLeod played junior ice hockey for the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), one of the most competitive minor hockey programs in Canada. He won the 2015 OHL Cup with the Marlboros and was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player. In his final season with the team, he led the Marlboros in scoring and earned the GTHL’s Player of the Year Award, confirming his status as one of the top draft-eligible players in the province. He also had a brief appearance with the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, suiting up for two games as an affiliated player.
McLeod was selected third overall by the Flint Firebirds in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection draft, but he refused to report, preferring to remain near his home in Mississauga. The Firebirds eventually traded him to the Mississauga Steelheads for eight draft picks spread over three OHL drafts, with the league also awarding Flint an additional first-round pick in the 2016 draft because of the refusal. He made his major junior debut with the Steelheads in the 2015-16 season, recording seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 62 games as the franchise posted its first winning season and reached the 2016 OHL playoffs.
Across four OHL seasons split between the Mississauga Steelheads and the Saginaw Spirit, McLeod developed into a dependable two-way centre. After being traded to Saginaw on January 3, 2019, he was placed on the Spirit’s first line alongside Cole Perfetti and Owen Tippett, helping the team reach the OHL Western Conference final for the first time in franchise history. His junior consistency, playoff poise, and high hockey IQ set the stage for his transition to professional hockey.
Ryan McLeod Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
McLeod turned professional after signing an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on May 1, 2019. He was assigned to the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, and appeared in five Calder Cup playoff games that spring, registering three assists. The following season, in his AHL rookie campaign, he recorded five goals and 23 points in 56 games before the season was suspended on March 12, 2020, and later cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the 2020-21 NHL season delayed, McLeod was loaned to EV Zug of the Swiss National League in September 2020, where he scored four goals and 11 points in 15 games. He returned to Bakersfield and produced at nearly a point-per-game pace with 14 goals and 28 points in 28 games, which earned him a recall to Edmonton’s taxi squad. McLeod made his NHL debut on April 26, 2021, in a 6-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, and he notched his first NHL point on May 11, 2021, assisting on James Neal’s first-period goal in a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. He also appeared in all four games of Edmonton’s first-round playoff series against Winnipeg, going scoreless as the Oilers were eliminated.
Edmonton Oilers Breakthrough (2021-2024)
McLeod made the Oilers roster out of training camp for the 2021-22 season, though a brief demotion to the AHL quickly ended after centre Devin Shore suffered an injury. He scored his first NHL goal on November 14, 2021, against Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues in a 5-4 win. Later that season, on March 28, 2022, he recorded his first three-point NHL game with two goals and an assist in a 6-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. He finished the year with nine goals and 21 points in 71 games, then contributed three goals and four points in 16 playoff games as Edmonton reached the Western Conference Finals before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.
In 2022-23, McLeod registered 11 goals and 23 points in 57 games despite missing 12 games with an injury suffered on March 14, 2023, against the Ottawa Senators. He added five assists in 12 playoff games as the Oilers were eliminated in the Western Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights. The 2023-24 season marked his most complete campaign, as he posted 12 goals and 30 points in 81 games and became a central figure on Edmonton’s penalty kill. He and linemates helped kill 23 straight penalties at one point during the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. In the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, McLeod scored in Game 3, added Edmonton’s final goal in an 8-1 Game 4 win, and sealed a 5-1 Game 6 victory with an empty-net goal. He finished the playoffs with four goals in 24 games as Edmonton fell in seven games.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2024-Present)
On July 5, 2024, McLeod was traded by the Oilers, alongside forward Tyler Tullio, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Matthew Savoie. He made his Sabres debut on opening night on October 4, 2024, playing on the third line with Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series. He recorded his first point with Buffalo on October 12, 2024, assisting on Mattias Samuelsson’s goal in a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers, and scored his first goal for the franchise on October 16 in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. On January 15, 2025, he notched his first career hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-2 win, with the third goal awarded after Hurricanes defenceman Brent Burns interfered with McLeod.
Driving Style and Strengths
McLeod is recognized for his smooth skating, defensive responsibility, and ability to drive play through the middle of the ice. He excels at even-strength matchups, reads the game at a high tempo, and has developed into a trusted penalty killer capable of logging difficult minutes against top opposing lines. His blend of speed, hockey sense, and two-way reliability has made him a versatile forward who can play centre or wing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include his 2015 OHL Cup MVP with the Toronto Marlboros, his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues in November 2021, his Game 2 playoff goal against the Los Angeles Kings in 2022, his starring role on Edmonton’s penalty kill during the 2024 Stanley Cup run, and his first NHL hat trick with the Buffalo Sabres in January 2025.
Ryan McLeod Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Racing lineage is not applicable to McLeod’s background, but his family has a strong hockey lineage. He is the son of Richard and Judi McLeod, and his two older brothers, Matt and Michael, both play professional ice hockey, with Matt competing in Northern Ireland and Michael playing in Russia.
Personal Life
McLeod remains closely tied to his family in Mississauga, where his parents still live. His brothers’ professional careers have kept the family connected across multiple countries, and McLeod has credited his early life on his family’s backyard rink as a key influence on his development as a player.
2025 Season Performance
McLeod’s 2024-25 season with the Buffalo Sabres has been highlighted by a smooth transition into a new organization and a growing offensive role. He opened the year on the third line before moving up the lineup, producing key points and helping stabilize Buffalo’s special teams. His first career hat trick on January 15, 2025, against the Carolina Hurricanes marked a signature moment and signalled his rising impact in Buffalo’s offensive attack.
Beyond individual production, McLeod has become a trusted two-way presence for the Sabres, logging regular shifts on the penalty kill and at even strength. His ability to drive possession and contribute in all three zones has provided Buffalo with a reliable middle-of-the-ice option as the team evaluates its longer-term direction. Coaches have praised his hockey IQ, work ethic, and willingness to play a responsible, team-first game.
Looking ahead, McLeod’s role with the Sabres is expected to continue expanding as he builds chemistry with linemates and adapts fully to Buffalo’s systems. If his early-season form holds, he has the tools to deliver a career-best statistical year while helping the Sabres push back toward playoff contention.
