Donovan made his University of Denver debut on October 9, 2009, and completed his first season as a Pioneer with seven goals and 14 assists for a total of 21 points in 36 games to lead all Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) defenseman in goals.[2] For his efforts he was rewarded by being named to the Inside College Hockey Freshman All-American team, All-College Hockey News Rookie Team, and All-WCHA Rookie Team.[3]
Donovan made his NHL debut on April 3, 2012, against the New Jersey Devils, making him the first Oklahoman born, raised, and trained in the state to play in the NHL. Donovan wore uniform number 46 in honor of Oklahoma being the 46th state.[6] After making the Islanders' roster to start the 2013–14 season,[1] he scored his first NHL goal on October 8, 2013, against Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes.[7]
With the Islanders declining to give Donovan a qualifying offer, on July 1, 2015, the Buffalo Sabres signed Donovan as a free agent to a one-year contract.[8]
Donovan enjoyed two productive seasons in Sweden, before opting to return to North America for the 2018–19 season, securing a one-year AHL contract with the Milwaukee Admirals on June 7, 2018.[10] Donovan instantly made an impact with the Admirals, leading the club in scoring with 12 points through his first 13 games before he was signed by NHL affiliate, the Nashville Predators, on a two-year, two-way contract on November 4, 2018.[11]
Nearing the conclusion of his contract with the Predators, Donovan opted to continue his tenure with the Milwaukee Admirals by signing a two-year AHL contract extension on March 23, 2020.[12]
With the Admirals opting out of playing in the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Donovan made a return to Sweden and the SHL, belatedly signing for the remainder of the season with HV71 on January 20, 2021.[13] He posted 2 goals and 7 points in 12 regular season games, unable to help prevent HV71 suffering relegation to the HockeyAllsvenskan (Allsv).
Returning to the Admirals for the following 2021–22 season, Donovan as an alternate captain, contributed with 8 goals and 40 points from the blueline in all 76 regular season games.
On June 17, 2022, Donovan again left the AHL and signed a one-year contract with German club, Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).[14] In the 2022–23 season, Donovan as an alternate captain contributed offensively on the blueline with 8 goals and 23 points through 47 regular season games. He also added 8 assists in 12 playoff contests.
As a free agent, Donovan returned to North America after securing a one-year AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves on June 14, 2023.[15] In the 2023–24 season, Donovan continued to produce offensively from the blueline, totalling 43 points through 69 regular season games.
On August 26, 2024, Donovan concluded his 14-year professional career, after he was unveiled as an assistant coach of the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, affiliate to former club, the Nashville Predators.[16]
Donovan was a member of the United States junior hockey team that captured the gold medal in January 2010 at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships with a 6–5 overtime victory against Team Canada.[17] Throughout the seven games Donovan gained three goals and two assists with a plus-6 rating.[18]
Mark Andrew Eaton is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Islanders. He is the only NHL player to ever come from Delaware. He attended John Dickinson High School in the Wilmington suburbs but played his youth hockey across the state line in Pennsylvania. He is currently the director of player development for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kristopher Beech is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). Beech was born in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, but grew up in Sicamous, British Columbia.
Ryan Suter is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars. Internationally, Suter has represented the U.S. national team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Matthew Carle is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. Carle played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators. He was originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round, 47th overall, in 2003.
Jeffrey John Finger is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League from 2006-2010 with the Colorado Avalanche and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Finger holds regional records for most goals (17), assists (40), points (57) and games played (199) for NHL players born, in the modern era, within The Copper Country of The Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Only Clarence "Taffy" Abel, who was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan,, who played in the NHL from 1926-1934, has played more games (333) than Finger, or any other player born in The Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Finger is regarded as the best all-around ice hockey player to be born and raised in The Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Finger was inducted into Michigan's Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Joseph J. Piskula is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). Piskula ended his playing career serving as an alternate captain for HC TPS in the Finnish Liiga.
Walter Lee Sweatt is an American former professional ice hockey player. Sweatt played four years of professional hockey in Europe and North America. Sweatt played three games in the National Hockey League (NHL) in 2011, before retiring to work in the financial industry. His younger brother, Bill, was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Matthew James Hendricks is an American former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild. He was drafted 131st overall by the Predators in 2000, though he didn't play for the organization until signing as a free agent for the 2013–14 season.
Trevor Smith is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He most recently played with the San Antonio Rampage in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Dylan Paul Reese is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He last played with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Matthew Alan Roy is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the seventh round, 194th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Stefan Elliott is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently an unrestricted free agent. He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL)
Jordan Schmaltz is an American entrepreneur, media personality, and former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was drafted 25th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and last played for EHC Kloten of the Swiss National League (NL).
Kevin Fiala is a Swiss professional ice hockey left winger for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent one season with the Malmö Redhawks junior team, then joined HV71, splitting a season between their junior team and their senior team in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), being selected by the Nashville Predators 11th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Fiala started the following season with HV71 before moving to North America halfway through, splitting two seasons between the Predators and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
Seth Helgeson is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL). Helgeson was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the 4th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Tanner James Kero is an American professional ice hockey player for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He has formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars.
Kieffer Bellows is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. He is the son of former NHL player Brian Bellows.
Kevin Gravel is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth-round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Andrew Philip Welinski is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the third round, 83rd overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Robert Virgil Nardella III is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
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