Leonsis Honored With Lester Patrick Trophy for U.S. Hockey Service
Ted Leonsis has been named the 2026 Lester Patrick Trophy recipient for his contributions to hockey in the United States. The Washington Capitals owner will be recognized on Nov. 30 in Washington during the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction event. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised Leonsis's leadership and the Capitals' impact on the D.C. area.
Leonsis bought the Capitals in 1999. Under his ownership, Washington has won the 2018 Stanley Cup, three Presidents’ Trophies and 13 division titles. Its 1,085 regular-season wins in that period trail only two clubs. The honor followed his unanimous election as NHL Board of Governors chairman two weeks earlier.
The league cited grassroots growth: more than 12,000 kids have joined Future Caps Learn to Play since 2016, and 14 outdoor street or inline rinks were built or refurbished. Washington USA Hockey registrations rose over 220 percent since 2005-06; registered girls and women players in D.C., Maryland and Virginia climbed 225 percent. Dick Patrick, Lester Patrick’s grandson and Leonsis’s business partner, won the same trophy in 2012.
The recognition may spotlight youth hockey access in the Washington region, potentially encouraging more families to try the sport. Increased visibility could benefit local rinks, coaches, and equipment providers, while girls and women players may see greater encouragement from the growth cited. The Capitals’ downtown presence may also reinforce the team’s civic role. Still, the award itself is symbolic; its broader social effect will depend on whether such programs continue expanding beyond the D.C. area.