The Boston Bruins added depth and two-way skill at center with their second-round pick (56th overall) in the 2014 NHL draft by selecting Ryan Donato from the Dexter School (Brookline, Mass.).
The 18-year-old forward has a high hockey IQ, excels as a playmaker and is a trustworthy player in his own end as a quality defensive player.
He also uses his strength (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) well to protect the puck and has a powerful, accurate shot with a quick release. He’s not an elite skater, but he battles hard for puck possession and displays an incredible work ethic in all three zones.
Donato was ranked 58th on Central Scouting’s pre-draft rankings of North American forwards. He tallied 78 points (30 goals, 48 assists) in 30 games for Dexter in 2013-14.
His father Ted, who’s currently the head coach of Harvard’s men’s hockey team, is a former Bruin.
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Donato is expected to play for Harvard in 2015-16.
He won’t make an impact at the NHL level anytime soon, but the Bruins can afford to wait for him to fully develop because of their incredible depth down the middle with Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Chris Kelly, Carl Soderberg, Gregory Campbell and Ryan Spooner.
