With the 182 selection of the NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks chose John Leonard, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound left winger from the University of Massachusetts Amhurst. The Sharks acquired the 182nd pick in February when they traded Troy Grosenick and Brandon Bollig to the Nashville Predators.
A native of Amhurst, Leonard led UMass in points during his freshman season with 13 goals and 15 assists in 33 games. The 19 year-old had previously played two seasons for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, where he notched 43 points over 106 games.