Leonard was sitting with his Boston College teammates Monday when he received a text with a dinner invitation from Alex Ovechkin. Was it real?

Leonard signed with the Caps on Monday after his season at Boston College ended. He will begin Tuesday’s game on a line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas.

Amherst native and Boston College star forward Ryan Leonard is set to make his NHL debut with the Capitals on Tuesday against the Bruins.

One of the most highly-touted players in college hockey is ready to step into the big time, as Ryan Leonard is set to make his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night when they face the Boston Bruins.

BOSTON -- Ryan Leonard was in the Boston College locker room, moments from signing with the Washington Capitals, when a text message popped up on his phone. It was Alex Ovechkin.

The Washington Capitals are officially on Ryan Leonard watch.

A right-shot winger, Leonard is a power forward who scored at will for Boston College. In his two years with the Eagles, Leonard had 61 goals in 78 games.

Ovi is days away from breaking the NHL scoring record while Leonard, a Massachusetts-born, BC star from Pope Francis Prep in Springfield, is set to make his NHL debut in front of his hometown fans, family and friends on Tuesday night. His BC Eagles were eliminated from the NCAA tourney over the weekend.