Leonard, Smith Named to U.S. Men’s National Team for World Championship – Boston College Athletics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Boston College forwards Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass.) and Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.) have been selected to the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of the 2024 IIHF World Championship, which will be held May 10-26 in Czechia. Leonard and Smith will be joined on the Team USA roster by former BC forwards Matt Boldy, Johnny Gaudreau and Kevin Hayes.
 
Leonard, a second team All-America honoree, ranked tied for fourth nationally in points with 60 after scoring 31 goals and 29 assists. A Hockey East Second Team All-Star, he broke the program record for goals in a season by a freshman, breaking the previous mark set by Brian Gionta in 1997-98. With his assist against Michigan in the Frozen Four, Leonard became just the fourth BC freshman to record 60 or more points. Leonard was also named the Most Outstanding Player at the Providence Regional after recording consecutive two-goal performances.
 
A first team All-America selection, Smith led the country in points (71) and assists (46). With his two goals in the National Semifinal win over Michigan, Smith became the 11th Eagle in program history to record 70 points in a single season and first since Johnny Gaudreau in 2013-14. His 71 points and 46 assists are the most by a freshman in a single season in program history as well as his assists being tied for the second-most by any BC player in a season. Smith became the first freshman to score a hat trick in the Hockey East Championship when he tallied four goals to lead the Eagles to its 12th Hockey East Tournament Championship.
 
Both products of the U.S. National Team Development Program, the duo were members of the gold medal winning U.S. team at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, with both recording points in the gold medal game, a 6-2 victory over Sweden.
 
The United States begins the IIHF World Championship on Friday (May 10) against Sweden in Group B at 2:20 p.m. ET. The U.S. has advanced to the semifinals in the last three tournaments.
 
All U.S. tournament games will air live on NHL Network.