Brampton Steelheads trade netminder Ryerson Leenders to the Brantford Bulldogs
Brampton Steelheads trade netminder Ryerson Leenders to the Brantford Bulldogs
The Brampton Steelheads have been the busiest team this off-season. The franchise has made it crystal clear that they have championship aspirations for the 2024-25 season.
Trading away a quality netminder like Ryerson Leenders isn't a puzzling move, considering their state in net with one of the top goalie prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft, Jack Ivankovic.
On Thursday, the Brantford Bulldogs acquired Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders from the Brampton Steelheads in exchange for an overload of draft picks.
This was a smart and savvy move by Steelheads GM James Richmond. He recognized that he already has a number one netminder in Ivankovic and trading Leenders would net him back some of the draft capital he has lost through his previous trades this summer.
Brampton acquired the following draft picks:
2025 2nd round (BAR)
2025 2nd round (WSR)
2025 2nd round (BFD)
2025 3rd round (OTT)
2026 3rd round (OTT)
2027 3rd round (SAG)
2025 4th round (BFD)
2027 5th round (BFD)
Having a strong tandem in the crease is a position of strength, but when you have the opportunity to acquire three second and third-round picks, you execute that trade every day of the week.
On the other side of things, Brantford has acquired one of the most athletic goalies in the OHL to fill the hole left by Matteo Drobac aging out of the league.
Leenders and David Egorov will occupy the Bulldogs' net for the 2024-25 season, with the team aiming to stay in the top half of the Eastern Conference standings. Ryerson will be the go-to guy for marquee games and should seize the starter role in Brantford.
“Ryerson solidifies our goaltending tandem alongside David Egorov and gives our club a tremendous foundation for success," said Brantford GM Matt Turek. "We know Ryerson is a player the fans will immediately gravitate to and look forward to his contributions both on the ice and in the community.”
The Nanticoke, Ontario native was drafted in the seventh round by the Buffalo Sabres in this year's past NHL Draft. It's been reported that he will join his new team after he attends Buffalo's training camp.
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