Ryan McLeod Bio
Ryan McLeod is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a forward for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on September 21, 1999, in Mississauga, Ontario, McLeod has established himself as a versatile two-way forward since making his NHL debut in 2021. After spending his early professional years with the Edmonton Oilers organization, McLeod was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in July 2024 and quickly became an integral part of their forward corps. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 188 pounds, he brings size, skill, and defensive responsibility to every shift.
Early Life and Background
Ryan McLeod was born to Richard and Judi McLeod in Mississauga, Ontario. His family had a deep connection to hockey from the very beginning. McLeod first learned to skate on the family’s backyard rink at just 18 months old, demonstrating an early and natural affinity for the sport. His parents fostered his passion for hockey, providing him with the foundation and resources to develop his skills from a young age.
The McLeod household was filled with hockey influence. Ryan has two older brothers, Matt and Michael McLeod, who both pursued professional hockey careers. Matt currently plays for the Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland, while Michael plays professionally in Russia. This family legacy of hockey excellence created a competitive and supportive environment that helped shape Ryan’s development as a player.
In childhood, Ryan McLeod was a fan of both the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, he favored the Oilers because his favorite player growing up was Ryan Smyth. Little did he know that he would eventually be drafted by and play for the Oilers organization that he admired as a young fan in Mississauga.
Path to Professional Hockey
McLeod began his junior hockey career with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). He quickly made a name for himself by winning 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. These accomplishments drew significant attention from Ontario Hockey League (OHL) scouts.
Selected by the Flint Firebirds in the first round, third overall, of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection draft, McLeod refused to report to Flint. He preferred to play near his home in Mississauga, which prompted the Firebirds to trade his rights to the Mississauga Steelheads for eight draft picks spread over three OHL drafts, plus an additional first-round pick. This trade set the stage for McLeod’s major junior development.
Ryan McLeod Career
Junior Career (2015–2019)
McLeod made his major junior debut for the Mississauga Steelheads in the 2015–16 season, appearing in 62 games and recording seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points. The Steelheads achieved their first winning season and qualified for the playoffs that year. In the 2016–17 season, McLeod improved to nine goals and 42 points in 68 games. The Steelheads advanced to the OHL Finals that year, losing to the Erie Otters, with McLeod contributing five goals and 20 points in 20 playoff games.
The 2017–18 season marked McLeod’s breakthrough year statistically. He set new career highs with 26 goals and 70 points in 68 games, demonstrating his ability to be an offensive threat at the major junior level. When the Steelheads entered a rebuilding phase in the 2018–19 season, they traded McLeod to the Saginaw Spirit on January 3, 2019, for defenseman Duncan Penman and five draft picks.
With the Spirit, McLeod was immediately placed on the first line alongside Cole Perfetti and Owen Tippett. In 31 games with Saginaw, he recorded seven goals and 24 points. The Spirit advanced to the OHL Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history before being eliminated by the Guelph Storm in seven games. McLeod added five goals and 12 points in 17 playoff games, showcasing his ability to elevate his play in crucial postseason moments.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2019–2024)
The Edmonton Oilers selected McLeod in the second round, 40th overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. After attending training camp in 2018, he was returned to his junior team for further development. He officially turned professional at the end of the 2018–19 season, signing an entry-level contract with the Oilers on May 1, 2019. He was assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, for the 2019 Calder Cup playoffs, where he appeared in five games and recorded three assists.
Ahead of the 2019–20 season, McLeod was assigned to the Condors on September 20. In his AHL rookie season, he recorded five goals and 23 points in 56 games before the season was suspended and later cancelled due to 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. He scored four goals and 11 points in 15 games before returning to North America.
McLeod returned to Bakersfield and demonstrated improved play, recording 14 goals and 28 points in 28 games at a point-per-game pace. His strong performance earned him a recall to the Oilers’ taxi squad late in the season. He made his NHL debut on April 26, 2021, in a 6–1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. His first NHL point came on May 11, 2021, when he assisted on James Neal’s goal in a 4–3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. McLeod appeared in ten games for the Oilers that season and made his NHL playoff debut on May 19 against the Winnipeg Jets.
Breakthrough Seasons (2021–2024)
McLeod made the Oilers team out of training camp for the 2021–22 season. After appearing in two games, he was assigned to the AHL but was recalled in November following an injury to Devin Shore. On November 14, 2021, he scored his first NHL goal against Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues in a 5–4 win. On March 28, 2022, he recorded a three-point game, scoring two goals and adding an assist in a 6–1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. He finished the season with nine goals and 21 points in 71 games.
During the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, McLeod scored his first NHL playoff goal and added an assist in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers eliminated both the Kings and the Calgary Flames to advance to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in four games. McLeod finished the playoffs with three goals and four points in 16 games.
The 2022–23 season saw McLeod sign a one-year contract extension with the Oilers on September 22, 2022. He registered a three-point game on November 26 against the New York Rangers. However, he suffered an injury on March 14, 2023, against the Ottawa Senators and missed significant time. He returned in mid-April and finished the season with 11 goals and 23 points in 57 games. The Oilers reached the Western Conference Final that year but were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights, with McLeod recording five assists in 12 playoff games.
Ahead of the 2023–24 season, McLeod signed a two-year contract with Edmonton on August 1. When head coach Jay Woodcroft was fired in November, new coach Kris Knoblauch began pairing McLeod with Warren Foegele on the second line as wingers alongside Leon Draisaitl. McLeod finished the season with 12 goals and 30 points in 81 games. The Oilers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. McLeod scored in Game 3 and was a key member of the penalty-killing unit throughout the playoffs. He scored an empty-net goal in Game 6 of the Finals, but the Oilers ultimately lost to the Panthers in Game 7.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2024–Present)
On July 5, 2024, McLeod was traded by the Oilers to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Matthew Savoie. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined a young and rebuilding Sabres organization. McLeod made his Sabres debut on opening night on October 4, playing on the third line alongside Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker. The game was played in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series.
He recorded his first point with Buffalo on October 12, assisting on Mattias Samelsson’s goal in a 5–2 victory over the Florida Panthers. On October 16, he scored his first goal for the franchise in a 6–5 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His adaptation to his new team was evident as he continued to provide the same two-way play and versatility that characterized his game in Edmonton.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ryan McLeod is known as a versatile two-way forward who can contribute in multiple situations. His 6-foot-3 frame allows him to win board battles and protect the puck effectively. McLeod’s skating ability, despite his size, enables him to transition quickly between offense and defense. He is comfortable playing both center and wing positions, giving his coaches flexibility in lineup construction. His penalty-killing abilities have been particularly notable, especially during the Oilers’ deep playoff run in 2024 where his unit was crucial in killing critical penalties.
Notable Events and Milestones
McLeod achieved a significant career milestone on January 15, 2025, when he scored his first career hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4–2 win. The third goal was an awarded goal after Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns interfered with McLeod. This performance highlighted his continued development as an offensive threat at the NHL level while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. His ability to score at this pace demonstrates the growth he has shown since his debut seasons.
Ryan McLeod Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career, Ryan McLeod has accumulated significant experience at both the NHL and AHL levels. His journey from junior hockey through the minor leagues to becoming a regular NHL contributor represents a steady development curve. He has shown the ability to elevate his play in pressure situations, as evidenced by his playoff performances with the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Highlights
McLeod debuted in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers on April 26, 2021, and has since become a reliable depth forward. His best statistical season came in 2023–24 with the Oilers, where he recorded 12 goals and 30 points in 81 games. His most memorable playoff performance came during the Oilers’ run to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, where he scored four goals in 24 playoff games and was a key member of their penalty-killing unit. In his first season with the Sabres, he achieved his first career hat trick and continued to develop his two-way game.
Junior and International Achievements
Prior to his professional career, McLeod achieved considerable success at the major junior level. He won the OHL Cup in 2015 with the Toronto Marlboros and was named tournament MVP. Throughout his OHL career with the Mississauga Steelheads and Saginaw Spirit, he consistently contributed offensively while also developing his defensive game. His playoff performances were particularly impressive, with his 20-point output during the Steelheads’ run to the 2017 OHL Finals standing out as a significant achievement.
Ryan McLeod Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Ryan McLeod comes from a family deeply rooted in hockey. His father is Richard McLeod and his mother is Judi McLeod. The family’s passion for hockey began when Ryan was just 18 months old, learning to skate on the backyard rink his parents built. Both of his older brothers, Matt and Michael, pursued professional hockey careers, creating a household where the sport was central to family life and discussions.
Matt McLeod plays for the Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland, while Michael McLeod plays professionally in Russia. This means Ryan has two brothers competing at high levels of professional hockey across different countries and leagues. The McLeod family represents a rare example of multiple siblings achieving professional hockey careers, a testament to both the family’s genetic hockey talent and the environment their parents created.
Personal Life
Growing up in Mississauga, Ontario, McLeod had the opportunity to play for local organizations while being raised in a hockey-focused family. As a child, he was a fan of both the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, ultimately favoring the Oilers because his favorite player was Ryan Smyth. This childhood fandom made his eventual selection by and career with the Oilers particularly meaningful, though his professional path has now taken him to Buffalo.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Ryan McLeod’s first full season with the Buffalo Sabres following his mid-2024 trade from Edmonton. After a training camp and preseason to acclimate to his new team, McLeod has been integrated into the Sabres’ forward rotation. He began the season playing on the third line with Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker during the Global Series in Prague, which provided an international stage for his Sabres debut.
McLeod’s early season with Buffalo showed his adaptability to a new system. He recorded his first point as a Sabre in early October and scored his first goal with the team later that same week. His progression throughout the season has included continued development of his two-way play and increased responsibility in various situations. The January 2025 hat trick against Carolina represented a breakthrough moment, demonstrating his ability to be an offensive difference-maker.
The outlook for McLeod with the Sabres remains positive as he continues to establish himself in their lineup. His versatility allows him to fit into different line combinations, and his penalty-killing abilities add value to the team in all situations. The Sabres organization values his experience from the Oilers’ deep playoff run and expects him to be a steady presence in their forward group as they continue their rebuilding efforts.