Jake Leschyshyn ( ; born March 10, 1999) is an American-born Canadian professional

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...

centre for the

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

of the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). He was drafted with the 62nd pick by the

Vegas Golden Knights The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Golden Knights compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division ...

in the 2017 NHL entry draft and has played for both the Golden Knights and the Rangers in the NHL. As the son of former

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

player Curtis Leschyshyn, he started his hockey career in

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

by participating in local hockey from 2004 to 2011. He would then play in amateur hockey as a member of both the

Red Deer Rebels The Red Deer Rebels are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Red Deer, Alberta. The Rebels are members of the Western Hockey League and play home games at the Marchant Crane Centrium. The Rebels won the President's Cup and the Mem ...

and Saskatoon Blazers. In his junior career, he played for the

Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. Founded in 1917, the Pats are the world's oldest continuously operating major junior hockey franchise in its original location and using its original name. The ...

and

Lethbridge Hurricanes The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Lethbridge, Alberta. The Hurricanes play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference, and play their home games at the VisitLethbridge.com Are ...

in the

Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hocke ...

(WHL), where he served as captain for the Pats. As a member of the Golden Knights, he played for their AHL affiliates, the

Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves are a professional ice hockey team based in Rosemont, Illinois. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena ...

and

Henderson Silver Knights The Henderson Silver Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in Henderson, Nevada. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team plays its home games at Lee ...

. In October 2021, Leschyshyn made his NHL debut with the Golden Knights and scored his first NHL goal a month later. In 2023, the Rangers claimed Leschyshyn off waivers from the Golden Knights, and he has since played for both the Rangers and their AHL affiliate, the

Hartford Wolf Pack The Hartford Wolf Pack are a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. A member of the American Hockey League (AHL), they play their home games at the PeoplesBank Arena. The team was established in 1926 as the Providence Reds. ...

Early life

Jake Leschyshyn was born on March 10, 1999, in

Raleigh, North Carolina Raleigh ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, second-most populous city in the state (after Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte) ...

, United States, to his parents

Curtis Curtis or Curtiss is a common English given name and surname of Anglo-Norman origin, deriving from the Old French ''curteis'' (Modern French">-4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to talk of the beginnings of Fren ...

and Laura when his father was a member of the

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

. During Leschyshyn's time in Colorado, due to his father playing for the

of the

, he started playing ice hockey in Colorado, where he participated in local hockey from 2004 until 2011, when his family moved to

Grasswood, Saskatchewan Grasswood, also known as Grasswood Park, is an unincorporated Hamlets of Saskatchewan, hamlet in Saskatchewan. It is part of the Corman Park No. 344, Saskatchewan, Corman Park rural municipality and is located just south of the city limits of S ...

, Canada. Prior to the move, Leschyshyn played with the Colorado Thunderbirds' U12 Pee Wee Major Team.

Playing career

Amateur

Upon moving to Saskatchewan, Leschyshyn played his second year of minor ice hockey levels: Pee Wee AA, Bantam AA, and Midget AAA in

Saskatoon Saskatoon () is the largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It straddles a bend in the South Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province. It is located along the Trans-Canada Hig ...

. While playing with the Saskatoon Bantam AA Stallions of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League in the 2013–2014 season, Leschyshyn accumulated 31 goals and 28 assists. As a result of his play, the

drafted Leschyshyn sixth overall in the 2015 WHL bantam draft. Although Leschyshyn signed with the Rebels in July 2014, he was reassigned to the Saskatoon Blazers of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League for the 2014–15 season after attending the Rebels training camp. While with the Blazers, he scored 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points through 38 games. On January 5, 2015, Leschyshyn's WHL playing rights were traded to

in exchange for Connor Gay, a 2016 first-round pick, 2015 second-round pick, and 2017 seventh-round pick. Leschyshyn was called up for two games in February; the first saw him make his WHL debut, and the second saw him score his first WHL goal.

Major junior

Upon concluding the 2014–15 season with the Blazers, Leschyshyn joined the Pats full-time in March 2015 for the remainder of their games. He rejoined the Pats for the 2015–16 season and immediately made an impact with the team by scoring his first WHL hat-trick on November 27, 2015. During the 2016–17 season, he scored 17 goals and 40 points but missed the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. The

drafted Leschyshyn as the 62nd overall pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft, and he signed an

entry-level contract An entry-level job is a job that is normally designed or designated for recent graduates of a given discipline and typically does not require prior experience in the field or profession. These roles may require some on-site training. Many entr ...

with the team on June 1, 2018. He attended the Golden Knights' prospect development camp but was sent back to the Pats. Prior to the 2018–19 season, the Pats named him team

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

after spending the previous season as an alternate captain. During the season, Leschyshyn, along with teammate Nick Henry, was traded to the

Professional

Vegas Golden Knights (2018–2023)

On April 4, 2019, Leschyshyn was reassigned on April 4 to the

, the

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...

(AHL) affiliate of the Golden Knights at the time. He appeared in 3 games with the team during the 2018–19 season. During the 2019–20 season, he scored his first AHL goal on October 27 during the Wolves 4–0 shutout victory against the

Manitoba Moose The Manitoba Moose are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team plays its home games at Canada Life Centre. The fran ...

. He achieved his first AHL assist a month later on November 7 during a 3–0 victory against the

Iowa Wild The Iowa Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Des Moines, Iowa. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Wild play their home games at Wells Fargo Arena. The ...

. He appeared in 61 games during the season, averaging 4 goals and 4 assists (which ended up as his total stats as a member of the Wolves). In the 2020–21 season, Leschyshyn scored the first goal for the

during their inaugural game as the Golden Knights' new AHL affiliate. It was his second full season in the AHL, and he finished the year with 6 goals and 11 points in 39 games. He played his first career NHL game on October 14, 2021, after Golden Knights players

Mark Stone Mark Stone (born May 13, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and captain of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the sixth round, 178th overall, of the 201 ...

and

Max Pacioretty Maximillian Kolenda Pacioretty (born November 20, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Pacioretty was drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, in the 2007 NH ...

were injured. Leschyshyn scored his first career NHL goal and registered his first career points during a 7–4 victory against the

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

on November 13. He started with the Golden Knights in 18 games during the first half of the season but was reassigned to the Silver Knights. He scored the game-winning goal on November 28, 2021, to help the team rally to beat the Iowa Wild, 6–5. In January 2022, he made his first appearance back with the Golden Knights during a matchup against the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

but was reassigned back to the Silver Knights afterwards. He was again recalled by the Silver Knights in February 2022 and appeared in 21 more games after. He appeared in 41 games with the Golden Knights during the 2021–22 season, in which he scored 2 goals and averaged 4 assists. On August 13, 2022, he signed a three-year deal to remain with the Golden Knights. He was

waived A waiver is the voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some known right or privilege. A waiver is often written, such as a disclaimer that has been accepted, but it may also be spoken between two or more parties. When the right to hold a p ...

by the Golden Knights for the purpose of assignment to the AHL on January 10, 2023, after not having a single point in 22 games.

New York Rangers (2023–2025)

On January 11, 2023, one day after being waived by the Golden Knights, the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

claimed Leschyshyn off waivers. He starred in 13 games with the Rangers during the 2022–23 season, where he was placed on waivers and sent to the AHL's

to make room for the Rangers to make a trade for

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

winger

Patrick Kane Patrick Timothy Kane II (born November 19, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey winger (ice hockey), right winger for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the List of ...

. In March 2023, he returned to the Wolf Pack, where he averaged 15 points—five goals and 10 assists—in 18 games, helping the Wolf Pack make the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since

2015 2015 was designated by the United Nations as: * International Year of Light * International Year of Soil __TOC__ Events January * January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...

. During the 2023–24 season, Leschyshyn made his only appearance against the

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

, in which he logged 6 minutes and 28 seconds of ice time in a 5–2 loss. In Hartford, he averaged eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points through 47 regular season games. In the

2024 Calder Cup playoffs The 2024 Calder Cup playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Hockey League (AHL) to determine the winner of the Calder Cup, which is awarded to the AHL playoff champions from the 2023–24 AHL season. All teams except the bottom t ...

, he scored the series-winning goal against the

Providence Bruins The Providence Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Providence, Rhode Island. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). They play at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Hi ...

, letting the Wolf Pack win the series 3–1, sending the team to the division finals for the second straight year. He led the team in playoff goals with five in ten games and was recalled by the Rangers during their playoff run. As a pending restricted free agent following his third season with the Rangers, Leschyshyn was not tendered a qualifying offer, ending his tenure with the organization.

Buffalo Sabres (2025–present)

On July 16, 2025, as a free agent Leschyshyn was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres for the 2025–26 season.

International play

, Leschyshyn represented

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internationally at the

World U-17 Hockey Challenge The World U-17 Hockey Challenge, originally known as the Quebec Esso Cup, is an international ice hockey tournament held annually in Canada. Prior to 2011, the tournament did not operate during years in which the Canada Winter Games were held. A ...

as a member of Canada Black. He participated in the tournament, following in his father

's footsteps, who had done the same in the 1986 tournament. During a matchup against the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...

, he scored the game-winner in a shootout after the game went to six rounds. The tournament was his first time in international play, and he finished it with one goal and five assists in five games, including the shootout winner.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Leschyshyn, Jake 1999 births Living people Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Canadian ice hockey centres Chicago Wolves players Hartford Wolf Pack players Henderson Silver Knights players Lethbridge Hurricanes players New York Rangers players Regina Pats players Vegas Golden Knights draft picks Vegas Golden Knights players 21st-century Canadian sportsmen Sportspeople from Raleigh, North Carolina