Bruins prospect Leo Henriquez proud of his Dominican and Slovak roots

Leo Henriquez, the Boston Bruins’ goaltending prospect, is beginning his college career while staying closely connected to his Dominican and Slovak roots. Known for his competitiveness on the ice and a few unusual moments last season, Henriquez is expected to compete for the starting role at Boston College this fall.

As the NHL reports, Henriquez was selected in the sixth round, 170th overall, of the 2026 NHL Draft, after a season with Green Bay in the USHL where he posted a 21-9-4 record, a 2.22 goals-against average, two shutouts and a .921 save percentage in 37 games. During that season he also had a special episode — a collision with the Sioux City goaltender on November 29 and a rare empty-net goal in a 5-0 win on February 14 — and was included in honors that earned him a spot on the USHL’s second all-star team.

Henriquez was born in Bratislava in 2007, to Roberto, a father from the Dominican Republic, and Miroslava, a mother from Slovakia. Although he grew up in Europe, he maintains strong ties with his Dominican family — many family members live in Philadelphia and family gatherings bring music, mischief and traditional dishes that he especially cherishes.

Henriquez’s interest in hockey began after the age of 8–9, when he started skating and joined his hometown club HC Slovan. To improve, he left Slovakia and at age 17 moved to Anchorage, Alaska to play in the NAHL, where he posted 17-5-0 with a 2.49 average and a .923 save percentage. He then moved to Green Bay, where after a difficult first season he managed to bounce back and was named to the USHL’s second all-star team.

As a student at Boston College, Henriquez took part in the Bruins’ development camp and begins his first season in Boston facing expectations and internal competition for ice time. BC had finished last season 20-14-1 and won the Beanpot tournament on February 9, while coaches express enthusiasm for his skills and competitive mentality. Henriquez, 1.85 m tall and 76 kg, speaks several languages and aims to work to impress the BC staff and the Bruins’ leadership. According to the NHL, he plans to visit the Dominican Republic next summer, a trip he sees as an opportunity to connect more strongly with his heritage.