Ryan Donato Bio
Ryan Donato, born on April 9, 1996, in Scituate, Massachusetts, is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays as a forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, he has built a versatile career across several organizations, including the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken. Standing 183 centimeters tall and weighing 86 kilograms, Donato is recognized for his offensive instincts and his role in Seattle Kraken franchise history, having scored the club’s first-ever goal.
Throughout his NHL career, Donato has developed into a reliable depth forward capable of contributing in multiple situations. After signing a long-term contract extension with the Blackhawks in June 2025, he remains a central figure in the team’s rebuilding efforts and continues to add to his professional resume.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Donato was born and raised in Scituate, Massachusetts, a coastal town south of Boston with a strong youth hockey tradition. Growing up in this environment gave him early and consistent exposure to the sport, shaping his development as a forward. He comes from a family deeply connected to professional hockey, as his father, Ted Donato, is a former NHL player who spent time with the Boston Bruins and later became the head coach of the Harvard Crimson men’s ice hockey team.
Donato played high school hockey at Dexter Southfield in Massachusetts, where he refined his offensive game and attracted the attention of NHL scouts. He also gained junior experience with the South Shore Kings of the United States Premier Hockey League before finishing his development path with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League. Following his father’s path to Harvard, Donato committed to a collegiate career with the Crimson, setting the stage for his transition to the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Hockey
Selected 56th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Donato balanced his junior hockey commitments with his academic pathway to Harvard University. His time with the Omaha Lancers helped him adjust to the speed and physicality required at the next level, while his commitment to a top collegiate program reflected his long-term approach to player development.
At Harvard, Donato quickly established himself as one of the top scorers in college hockey. In his junior season, 2017–18, he led the Crimson in scoring with 26 goals and 17 assists for 43 points in just 29 games. This performance convinced him to forgo his senior year and sign a three-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on March 18, 2018, accelerating his path to the NHL.
Ryan Donato Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Ryan Donato made an immediate impact at the NHL level, debuting with the Boston Bruins on March 19, 2018, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He scored his first NHL goal and added two assists in a 5–4 overtime loss, signaling his offensive potential. Later that spring, he appeared in his first playoff contest during Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a 7–3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The following season, Donato split time between Boston and the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. After playing 11 games with the Bruins, he was assigned to Providence on November 1, 2018, where he recorded nine points in 10 games before being recalled on November 28. On January 28, 2019, he was reassigned to Providence, and shortly thereafter, on February 20, 2019, he was traded, along with a conditional 2019 fifth-round pick, to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Charlie Coyle.
Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks (2019–2021)
Donato debuted for the Minnesota Wild on February 21, 2019, recording two assists in a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers. His play during the remainder of that season helped him secure a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension with the Wild on July 16, 2019. However, his role in Minnesota was limited, and on October 5, 2020, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick originally belonging to Pittsburgh.
With San Jose, Donato made his debut on January 14, 2021, in a 4–3 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes. He contributed as a depth forward for the Sharks through the shortened 2020–21 season, providing energy and versatility on the wing and at center.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021–2023)
On September 12, 2021, the expansion Seattle Kraken signed Donato as a free agent to a one-year, $750,000 contract. He quickly became a part of franchise history, scoring the opening goal in the Kraken’s first preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks on September 26, 2021. On October 12, 2021, he netted the first official goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history during a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
During the 2021–22 season, Donato set a career high with 16 goals and 31 points in 74 games, serving as a key contributor despite Seattle missing the playoffs in its inaugural year. After briefly testing free agency in 2022, he returned to the Kraken on a one-year, $1.2 million deal. In 2022–23, he added 13 goals and 27 points in 71 games and helped Seattle reach the postseason, contributing two assists in 14 playoff games.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2023–Present)
On July 1, 2023, Donato signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, joining the franchise as an unrestricted free agent. He brought veteran experience and scoring touch to a young Chicago roster, taking on a larger role in the lineup. On March 28, 2025, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a 5–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, a milestone that underlined his offensive capabilities.
Following a strong individual campaign, Donato signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension with the Blackhawks on June 18, 2025, cementing his role in the organization’s long-term plans. His consistent production and leadership have made him a central figure during Chicago’s ongoing rebuild.
Driving Style and Strengths
Donato’s game is built around offensive instincts, strong skating, and a reliable shot. He is effective on the power play and has demonstrated the ability to play both wing and center positions, giving his coaches valuable lineup flexibility. His hockey IQ, inherited from a family with deep ties to the sport, allows him to read plays and contribute in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Donato’s most memorable moments is his first NHL goal and two-assist performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018, his historic first goal for the Seattle Kraken in 2021, and his first career hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025. Each milestone has marked a different chapter in his steady professional growth.
Ryan Donato Career Highlights
Across his NHL career, Ryan Donato has been a consistent contributor at the professional level. From his impactful debut with the Boston Bruins to his record-setting arrival in Seattle, he has produced key goals and points in regular-season and playoff action alike. His career has spanned multiple organizations, each of which has benefited from his two-way play and offensive skill set.
NHL Regular Season Highlights
Donato recorded his first NHL goal and two assists in his debut with the Boston Bruins on March 19, 2018. He set a career high with 16 goals and 31 points during the 2021–22 season with the Seattle Kraken. Most recently, on March 28, 2025, he notched his first career hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights while with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Other Performances
Before turning professional, Donato posted 26 goals and 43 points in 29 games during his final season at Harvard, leading the team in scoring. In the American Hockey League, he produced nine points in 10 games for the Providence Bruins during the 2018–19 season, showing his readiness for the NHL level.
Ryan Donato Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Ryan Donato is the son of Ted Donato, a longtime NHL player who appeared in 311 games with the Boston Bruins and later became the head coach of the Harvard Crimson men’s ice hockey team. Growing up in a household with deep roots in professional hockey shaped Ryan’s development and understanding of the game from an early age.
Personal Life
Ryan Donato married his wife, Bradley Donato, on July 30, 2023. The couple has been a steady presence in his life as he has continued his professional career across several NHL cities.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 NHL season, Ryan Donato played a prominent role for the Chicago Blackhawks, contributing consistent offense and veteran leadership on a young roster. On March 28, 2025, he achieved a personal milestone by scoring his first career hat-trick in a 5–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, capping a strong individual campaign.
His performance throughout the season helped establish him as a core piece of the Blackhawks’ long-term plans, leading to a four-year, $16 million contract extension on June 18, 2025. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his ability to contribute to the team’s ongoing rebuild.
Looking ahead, Donato is expected to remain a key part of Chicago’s forward group. With his contract extension securing his future through 2029, he is positioned to play a central role in the franchise’s efforts to return to playoff contention in the seasons to come.