Brett Leason Bio
Brett Leason (born April 30, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), while under contract to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed around 220 pounds, Leason combines size with offensive skill, a profile that drew NHL attention after a dominant junior career. He was selected 56th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft after going undrafted the previous two years, and has also played in the NHL for the Anaheim Ducks.
Early Life and Background
Brett Leason was born on April 30, 1999, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in the Calgary area and developed his game within the city’s competitive minor hockey system, skating for the Calgary Stampeders and the junior Calgary Flames organizations of the Alberta Minor Hockey Association. Those formative years in one of Canada’s most hockey-rich cities helped shape his two-way, power-forward identity.
Leason was chosen in the third round, 50th overall, by the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, marking his first significant step toward elite-level competition. He also represented his home province on a broader stage, earning a silver medal with Calgary North at the 2015 Alberta Cup, an early indicator of his scoring touch and physical presence.
Path to Hockey
Leason began the 2016–17 season with the Tri-City Americans, but struggled to move up the roster and was traded the following season to the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for a draft pick. The change of scenery proved transformative. After joining the Raiders, Leason scored 15 goals and 32 points in his next 54 games, signaling the offensive breakout that would soon follow.
In the 2018–19 season, Leason led the Prince Albert Raiders in scoring with 36 goals and 89 points, powering the club to a first-place finish in the WHL. He carried that momentum into the WHL playoffs, leading his team with 10 goals and 25 points in 22 games and helping the Raiders capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions. The Raiders were then invited to the 2019 Memorial Cup tournament, where they finished fourth. Leason closed the campaign by being named to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team. He also represented Team Canada at the 2019 World Juniors, registering three goals and five points in five games.
Brett Leason Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
On July 11, 2019, Leason signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals shortly after being drafted 56th overall. He spent his first two full professional seasons developing in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ top affiliate, refining his two-way game and adjusting to the pace of pro hockey.
That development path set the stage for his NHL arrival. Leason’s size, shot, and growing confidence in the offensive zone gave Washington a forward prospect worth watching, and he earned his first taste of NHL action in the fall of 2021.
NHL Debut and Capitals Arrival (2021–2022)
Leason made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals on October 29, 2021, against the Arizona Coyotes. Three days later, on November 1, 2021, he scored his first NHL goal, beating Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 3–2 loss. He finished the 2021–22 season with three goals and six points in 36 games with the Capitals, establishing himself as a call-up option.
Leason also made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut in Game 2 of Washington’s first-round series against the Florida Panthers, replacing an injured Tom Wilson. On June 20, 2022, he re-signed with the Capitals to a two-year, $1.55 million contract, signaling that the organization viewed him as part of its forward group.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2022–2025)
Leason failed to make the Capitals out of training camp in 2022 and was placed on waivers on October 9, 2022. The following day, October 10, 2022, he was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks, opening a new chapter in his career. He made his Ducks debut in a 6–4 loss to the New York Rangers on October 17, 2022, and scored his first goal as a Duck on November 5, 2022, beating James Reimer in a 5–4 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Leason spent three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks organization. Following the 2024–25 season, as a pending restricted free agent, he was not tendered a qualifying offer, ending his tenure in Anaheim and returning him to the open market.
Washington Capitals Return (2025–Present)
Un-signed over the summer of 2025, Leason initially accepted an invitation to join the Minnesota Wild training camp for the 2025–26 season. After being released by the Wild, he signed a professional tryout agreement with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, on October 13, 2025. Two weeks later, on October 27, 2025, Leason returned to the NHL, signing a one-year contract to rejoin the Washington Capitals, the organization that originally drafted him in 2019.
Playing Style and Strengths
Leason is a power winger whose game is built around his 6-foot-5 frame, strong skating for his size, and an effective shot. He is comfortable along the walls, wins battles on the forecheck, and has shown the ability to produce offense in the AHL when given a top-six role. His development path between Anaheim and the Capitals has emphasized two-way responsibility and consistency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments include his first NHL goal against Andrei Vasilevskiy in November 2021, his first Ducks goal against James Reimer in November 2022, helping the Prince Albert Raiders win the 2019 Ed Chynoweth Cup, and representing Canada at the 2019 World Juniors. His 2025 return to the Capitals on a one-year deal closed a full-circle chapter with the franchise that drafted him.
Brett Leason Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Brett Leason’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and progressed through the city’s minor hockey system with the Calgary Stampeders and junior Calgary Flames organizations of the Alberta Minor Hockey Association.
Personal Life
Details about Brett Leason’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He continues to be recognized publicly through his verified Instagram presence.
2025 Season Performance
Leason’s 2025 calendar year has been defined by movement. After his contract was not renewed by the Anaheim Ducks following the 2024–25 season, he spent the early part of the 2025–26 NHL preseason with the Minnesota Wild before being released. He then accepted a professional tryout with the Charlotte Checkers, the Florida Panthers’ AHL affiliate, on October 13, 2025, keeping his game sharp while waiting for an NHL opportunity.
That opportunity arrived quickly. On October 27, 2025, Leason signed a one-year contract to return to the Washington Capitals, the team that originally selected him 56th overall in 2019. The reunion gave him a path back to the NHL level and reconnected him with the Hershey Bears pipeline, where he spent his first two professional seasons.
Looking ahead, Leason is positioned as a depth forward for the Capitals in 2025–26, with the ability to shuttle between Washington and Hershey. His combination of size, NHL experience, and familiarity with the Capitals’ system makes him a reliable call-up option as the season progresses.