Ryan Donato is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Born on April 9, 1996, in Scituate, Massachusetts (often listed with Boston ties), he stands 6 feet tall and weighs about 190 pounds.
He shoots left and is known for his scoring touch, versatility as a center or winger, and strong college hockey background.
Donato was drafted 56th overall by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
He comes from a prominent hockey family as the son of former NHL player and Harvard coach Ted Donato.
Siblings
Ryan has two younger brothers, Jack Donato and Nolan Donato, and a younger sister named Maddie Donato.
His brothers have also played competitive hockey, with Jack following a similar path through prep school and collegiate levels under family coaching influences.
The Donato family has deep hockey roots, with their father Ted and uncle Danny heavily involved in the sport at high levels, including coaching roles at Dexter School where Ryan and his brothers played.
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Career
Donato excelled in prep hockey at Dexter School in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he was coached by his uncle.
He then committed to Harvard University, playing for his father Ted Donato.
In his junior season (2017-18), he led the Crimson with 43 points (26 goals, 17 assists) in 29 games, earning Hobey Baker Award finalist honors and multiple All-American and conference accolades.
He left college early after that standout year to turn professional.
He made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in March 2018 and appeared in their playoff run that year.
Donato was later traded to the Minnesota Wild, where he spent time developing consistency.
He also had stints with the San Jose Sharks and Seattle Kraken before signing with the Chicago Blackhawks.
In Chicago, he has taken on a larger role, posting career-high goal totals in recent seasons and contributing as a reliable middle-six forward.
Internationally, he represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship (winning bronze) and the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Accolades
Donato was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award Hat Trick Finalist in 2018, an AHCA First Team All-American, ECAC Hockey Player of the Year, and First Team All-ECAC and All-Ivy selections.
He also earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors in his sophomore season and multiple Player of the Month/Week awards.
At Harvard, he surpassed 100 career points and set program records for scoring impact in a shortened junior year.
In the NHL, he has accumulated over 250 career points across more than 500 games.
Notable team achievements include his early playoff contributions with the Bruins.
He has shown flashes of high-end scoring, including multi-goal games and highlight-reel plays, while establishing himself as a durable, two-way contributor.
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