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The Grand Rapids Griffins are hoping to make a long run in the upcoming American Hockey League Calder Cup playoffs, and the Detroit Red Wings have assured that one of the key members of the team will be staying in the organization much longer.
The Red Wings announced on Thursday that the club had signed forward John Leonard to a contract extension that will carry through the 2026-27 season.
Signed as an unrestricted free agent last summer after he scored 36 goals for the AHL Charlotte Checkers, the 27-year-old Leonard appeared in 11 games for the Red Wings this season. He collected four points (2-2-4). Leonard made his Red Wings debut on Dec. 16 against the New York Islanders and strung together a three-game point streak with Detroit from Dec. 17-21 (2-1-3).
“He has NHL experience,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “I know he’s got some speed. We played against him when he was with the Sharks in San Jose, so he can make an impact on the game with his speed. But now his shot and his creativity offensively are coming to the forefront as well.”
Red Wings Farmhand Named An AHL All-Star
Thursday was an all-around big day for Leonard. Earlier in the day, the left-winger was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team.
This marks his second consecutive Second Team selection. Leonard was also chosen with Charlotte in 2024-25. He becomes the first Griffins player selected to an AHL All-Star Team since 2020-21 (Riley Barber) and the first named to the Second All-Star Team since 2015-16 (Robbie Russo).
Leonard logged 53 points (32-21-53) and a plus-seven rating in 46 games with Grand Rapids. He ranks among the AHL leaders in goals (tied for second), shorthanded goals (5, tied for first), and game-winners (8, tied for second).
In addition, his 1.15 points-per-game ranks third in the AHL among players with at least 40 games played. Leonard leads Grand Rapids in points and goals. Leonard produced a career-high six-game goal streak from Oct. 11-Nov. 2 and a career-best 10-game point streak from Oct. 10-Nov. 19, which also set a franchise record for the longest point streak to begin a season. His 32 goals are the most by a Griffins player since 2014-15 (Teemu Pulkkinen, 34).
The post Red Wings Extend Leonard appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
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