Sociology - Harvard University: Cambridge, MA, USA
Famous relatives
His father Ted Donato played in 796 NHL games, mostly for the Boston Bruins, and was part of the US team that finished fourth at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville. In 2017/18 he began his fourteenth season as head coach of Harvard University men's ice hockey team. Ryan's brother Jack also plays ice hockey, and joined Harvard University at the start of the 2017/18 season. (eliteprospects.com, 01 Jan 2018; gocrimson.com, 01 Jul 2017)
Why this sport?
He idolised his father's framed USA hockey sweaters that hung on the walls of their house.
Hero / Idol
His father. (nbcsports.com, 01 Jan 2018)
Awards and honours
While playing for Harvard University in the 2016/17 season, he was named Ivy League Player of the Year, All-Ivy League First Team, ECAC All-Star Second Team and ECAC All-Tournament Team. (eliteprospects.com, 01 Jan 2018)
In his first year at Harvard University in 2015/16, he was given the George Percy Award as the university's top freshman. (gocrimson.com, 01 Jul 2017)
Name of coach
Ted Donato [club, father], USA; Tony Granato [national], USA
Preferred position / style / stance / technique
Forward
Handedness
Shoots left
When and where did you begin this sport?
He began playing the sport as a boy.
Occupation
Student
Languages
English
Other information
FATHER TED He was chosen in the second round, 56th overall pick, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins, the same club his father Ted was drafted by [fifth round, 98th overall] in 1987 and played for more than 400 times. Since 2004, Ted has been men's hockey coach at Harvard University, where he coaches Ryan since 2015 and younger brother Jack since 2017. After competing at the 1992 Games in Albertville, Ted left university to join the Boston Bruins, which is a possibility for Ryan, who finishes his third year after the Pyeongchang Games. "At the end of the day, I want to be a hockey player, and if it makes sense to go [to the Bruins] after the end of my junior year, that's a possibility. But I think in the end I am going to do based on what my dad thinks, what my family thinks, and what's best for my hockey career." (gocrimson.com, 01 Jul 2017; eliteprospects.com, 01 Jan 2018; bostonglobe.com, 02 Sep 2017)
