Ryan Donato

Ryan Donato
Donato with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023.
Born	(1996-04-09) April 9, 1996 (age 28) Scituate, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position	Center/Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Chicago Blackhawks Boston Bruins Minnesota Wild San Jose Sharks Seattle Kraken
National team	United States
NHL Draft	56th overall, 2014 Boston Bruins
Playing career	2018–present

Ryan Donato (born April 9, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round, 56th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. ^{[1] [2]} He has previously played for the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken. Donato is the son of former Bruin and longtime NHL player Ted Donato. On October 12, 2021, Donato scored the first goal in Kraken franchise history in a 4–3 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights. ^[3]

Playing career

Early career

Donato played high school hockey with Dexter School in Massachusetts. He was selected in the second round, 56th overall, by the Boston Bruins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Continuing to play with Dexter, Donato made his junior debut with the South Shore Kings in the United States Premier Hockey League before finishing with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League, having committed to a collegiate career with Harvard University, in following his father's footsteps who was now the Crimson's head coach. ^[4]

Professional

Boston Bruins

Having led the Crimson as a junior in scoring through the 2017–18 season with 26 goals and 17 assists for 43 points in just 29 games, Donato opted to leave the college early and turn professional. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on March 18, 2018. ^{[5] [6]} Despite leaving college hockey, Donato was still enrolled in Harvard classes and was aiming to finish the semester while playing in the NHL. ^[7] He made his NHL debut the next day where he recorded his first NHL goal and added two assists in a 5–4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. ^[8] Donato made his playoff debut during Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs in a 7–3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. ^[9]

Donato began the 2018–19 season with the Bruins. On November 1, he was assigned to the Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins after playing in 11 games. ^[10] He was recalled by Boston on November 28 after recording nine points in 10 games for Providence. ^[11] Donato was reassigned to Providence on January 28, 2019. ^{[12] [ non-primary source needed ]}

Minnesota Wild

On February 20, 2019, Donato and a 2019 conditional fifth-round pick were traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Charlie Coyle. ^[13] He made his debut for the Wild on February 21, recording two assists in a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers. ^[14]

On July 16, 2019, the Wild re-signed Donato to a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension. ^[15]

San Jose Sharks

On October 5, 2020, Donato was traded by the Wild to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Pittsburgh's 2021 third-round pick. ^[16] His debut came on January 14, 2021, in a 4–3 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes. ^[17]

Seattle Kraken

Donato with the Seattle Kraken in 2023.

On September 12, 2021, the expansion team Seattle Kraken signed Donato as a free agent to a one-year, $750,000 contract for the 2021–22 season. ^[18]

Donato scored the opening goal in the franchise's first preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks on September 26, 2021. ^[19] He followed that up with the first official goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history, scoring on opening night in a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on October 12, 2021. ^[3] Donato scored a career-high 16 goals and added 15 assists for 31 points in 74 games, as Seattle missed the playoffs in their inaugural season.

As an impending restricted free agent, Donato was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Kraken and was released as a free agent. On July 27, 2022, after testing the market he was re-signed by the Kraken to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. ^[20] In the 2022–23 season, Donato built upon his first season with the Kraken by continuing to contribute in a various forward roles in posting 13 goals and 27 points through 71 regular season games. In helping the Kraken qualify for the post-season, he added 2 assists through 14 games.

Chicago Blackhawks

After two seasons with the Kraken, Donato left the club as a free agent and was signed on the opening day of free agency to a two-year, $4 million contract with the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks on July 1, 2023. ^[21]

International play

Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2021 Latvia
World Junior Championships
	2016 Finland

Donato made his first appearance at the international level as a junior when he was selected by the United States to participate in the 2016 World Junior Championships. He finished the tournament with 3 goals and 4 points in 7 games, resulting in a bronze medal.

Donato was selected for the United States men's national ice hockey team, to compete in the men's tournament at the 2018 Winter Olympics. ^{[22] [23]} Donato led the United States in scoring, with six points; additionally, his five goals place him in a tie for the most goals scored – alongside Ilya Kovalchuk and Kirill Kaprizov. However, the team's overall performance was a disappointment as team USA skated to a seventh-place finish. ^[24]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2011–12	Dexter School	USHS		26	14	22	36	8		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Dexter School	USHS		28	29	31	60	14		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Dexter School	USHS		30	37	41	78	16		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Dexter School	USHS		31	18	35	53	16		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	South Shore Kings	USPHL		13	5	5	10	4		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Omaha Lancers	USHL		8	5	5	10	4		3	1	0	1	15
2015–16	Harvard University	ECAC		32	13	8	21	26		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Harvard University	ECAC		36	21	19	40	25		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Harvard University	ECAC		29	26	17	43	10		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Boston Bruins	NHL		12	5	4	9	2		3	0	0	0	0
2018–19	Boston Bruins	NHL		34	6	3	9	2		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Providence Bruins	AHL		18	7	5	12	7		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Minnesota Wild	NHL		22	4	12	16	4		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Iowa Wild	AHL		3	2	3	5	4		11	2	4	6	4
2019–20	Minnesota Wild	NHL		62	14	9	23	12		2	0	0	0	2
2020–21	San Jose Sharks	NHL		50	6	14	20	10		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Seattle Kraken	NHL		74	16	15	31	40		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Seattle Kraken	NHL		71	14	13	27	46		14	0	2	2	12
2023–24	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		78	12	18	30	26		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				403	77	88	165	142		19	0	2	2	14

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2016	United States	WJC			7	3	1	4	2
2018	United States	OG	7th		5	5	1	6	2
2021	United States	WC			10	1	3	4	6
Junior totals					7	3	1	4	2
Senior totals					15	6	4	10	8

Awards and honors

Award	Year
USHL
All-USA Hockey First Team	2015
College
ECAC All-Tournament Team	2017
All-ECAC Hockey Second Team	2017	[25]
All-Ivy League First Team	2017
Ivy-League Players of the Year	2017	[26]
AHCA East First-Team All-American	2018	[27]
Hobey Baker Award (Finalist)	2017–18
ECAC Hockey Player of the Year	2017–18

References

1. "Ryan Donato". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
2. "Bruins 'Excited' About Ryan Donato's Development Path, See Him As Winger in NHL – Boston Bruins". NESN.com. February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
3. Ellis, Steven (October 12, 2021). "Ryan Donato Scores First Goal in Seattle Kraken History". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved October 13, 2021.
4. "Ted Donato Bio". Official Website of Harvard Athletics. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
5. "Bruins sign Donato to entry-level deal". The Sports Network. March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
6. "Bruins Sign Ryan Donato To Entry-Level Contract". nhl.com/bruins. National Hockey League. March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018. Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, March 18, that the team has signed Harvard forward Ryan Donato to a two-year entry-level contract. Donato will join the Boston Bruins and will be eligible to play in tomorrow night's game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.
7. Conroy, Steve (March 22, 2018). "Bruins notebook: Ryan Donato's homework not just on ice, as he aims to finish Harvard classes". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
8. "Ryan Donato nets goal, 2 assists for Bruins one day after signing entry-level contract". ESPN. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
9. "Bruins' Ryan Donato: Makes NHL playoff debut". cbssports.com. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
10. "Bruins Assign Ryan Donato To Providence". National Hockey League. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
11. "Bruins Recall Ryan Donato From Providence". Boston Bruins. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
12. "To recap today's #NHLBruins transactions: Tuukka Rask has been placed on IR retro to Jan. 19. He won't play Tues. vs. Jets. Trent Frederic, Peter Cehlarik, & Zane McIntyre (emergency basis) have been recalled from @AHLBruins. Ryan Donato & JFK have been assigned to Providence" . Retrieved January 28, 2019– via Twitter.
13. "Wild acquires Forward Ryan Donato from Bruins". Minnesota Wild. February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
14. Murphy, Brian (February 22, 2019). "Wild catch needed break in win over Rangers". The Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
15. "Wild re-signs Donato to two-year contract". Minnesota Wild. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
16. "Donato traded to Sharks by Wild". National Hockey League. October 5, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
17. "Sharks recover, defeat Coyotes in shootout in season opener". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
18. "Seattle Kraken sign Ryan Donato". The Sports Network. September 12, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
19. "Canucks vs. Kraken - Box Score - September 26, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
20. "Donato re-signs with the Kraken". Seattle Kraken. July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
21. "Blackhawks sign Ryan Donato to two-year contract". Chicago Blackhawks. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
22. "College hockey: Harvard's Ryan Donato named National Player of the Month". NCAA.com. January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
23. Futterman, Matthew (February 13, 2018). "Ryan Donato Goes From Harvard to Olympic Hockey Stardom". The New York Times. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
24. "Statistics". IIHF. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
25. "Awards – NCAA (ECAC) Second All-Stat Team". Eliteprospects.com.
26. "Ryan Donato named Ivy League player of the year". Dexter School. March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
27. "Donato, Fox Named CCM/AHCA Hockey Division I First Team All-Americans". gocrimson.com. April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Mike Vecchione	ECAC Hockey Player of the Year 2017–18	Succeeded by Adam Fox