Bruins sign Ryan Donato to an entry-level contract

The Boston Bruins have signed forward Ryan Donato to a two-year entry-level contract. According to general manager Don Sweeney, Donato will likely play against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday at TD Garden.

"He has a definable skill set of being able to shoot the puck and he's got hard skill," Sweeney said. "He's heavy on the puck. When you have it, he wants it back. When he has it, he doesn't want to give it up and those are unique qualities. You take that skill and you apply some work with it and you have talent. Then you take that talent and you apply more work to it and you end up with a guy that can play in the National Hockey League and that's what we hope we can do.

"It'll be a steep learning curve but Ryan's a talented kid with a great hockey mind and I think he can handle it."

Sweeney said Donato's decision to turn pro came quickly after Harvard lost to Clarkson in the ECAC semifinals on Friday. Since the Bruins are dealing with injuries to forwards Patrice Bergeron, David Backes and Jake DeBrusk, this is an opportunity for Donato to step in and play. He will be on the Bruins' roster and he's not eligible to play for the Providence Bruins in the Calder Cup playoffs.

"We feel if we get healthy we're going to have a deep group and (Donato's) going to add to that group and then it's up to him," Sweeney said. "We hope we do get healthy and we have a lot of games upcoming and we haven't clinched anything, so we got work ahead of us and he's going to add to the depth of our group."

Donato represented Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where he played in all five of the team’s games before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Czech Republic. The 21-year-old forward tied for the most goals in the Olympics with five in five games, and his six points were the most by an American player.

"Being able to go over and have success at the Olympics this year really sort of jumpstarted his thought process that he was ready for the next challenge," Sweeney said.

Donato led Harvard in scoring as a junior with 26 goals and 17 assists for 43 points, including a plus-15 rating in 29 games. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Boston native was selected as one of the 10 Hobey Baker finalists. The Bruins originally selected Donato in the second round (No. 56 overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

"We're excited about the direction of our club and continue to add talent and character and depth to the organization," Sweeney said.

BSJ Analysis

Donato possesses plenty of intangibles that will translate at the NHL level. He has excellent offensive instincts. Since the Bruins drafted him, Donato has worked on the areas of his game that would help him develop into a pro, both on and off the ice. He’s become stronger on his skates. He’s improved his skating stride, balance and speed. He can play both center and wing.

A true sign of a future pro is when a younger player addresses the areas he needs to in order to make the jump from college to either the AHL or NHL. Donato has used his time wisely since he was drafted to make himself better. When you combine the willingness to improve, along with his physical capabilities, hockey IQ, instincts and pedigree, that’s the equation for a full-time NHLer.

Another aspect that makes Donato an impressive prospect is his shot. His quick release and laser-like accuracy separate him from the rest of the field. Plus, being around the pro game his entire life as the son of a former NHLer is a major intangible. It helps build hockey sense and having a better understanding of the requirements it takes to play in the NHL.

If Donato plays against the Blue Jackets, the best guess is he slides into the third line at center with Riley Nash going up to the first line for Backes.