Having led the Crimson as a junior in scoring through the 2017–18 season with 26 goals and 17 assists for 43 points in just 29 games, Donato opted to leave the college early and turn professional. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on March 18, 2018.[5][6] Despite leaving college hockey, Donato was still enrolled in Harvard classes and was aiming to finish the semester while playing in the NHL.[7] He made his NHL debut the next day where he recorded his first NHL goal and added two assists in a 5–4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.[8] Donato made his playoff debut during Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs in a 7–3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.[9]
Donato began the 2018–19 season with the Bruins. On November 1, he was assigned to the Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins after playing in 11 games.[10] He was recalled by Boston on November 28 after recording nine points in 10 games for Providence.[11] Donato was reassigned to Providence on January 28, 2019.[12][non-primary source needed]
Minnesota Wild
On February 20, 2019, Donato and a 2019 conditional fifth-round pick were traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Charlie Coyle.[13] He made his debut for the Wild on February 21, recording two assists in a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers.[14]
On July 16, 2019, the Wild re-signed Donato to a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension.[15]
San Jose Sharks
On October 5, 2020, Donato was traded by the Wild to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Pittsburgh's 2021 third-round pick.[16] His debut came on January 14, 2021, in a 4–3 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes.[17]
Donato scored the opening goal in the franchise's first preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks on September 26, 2021.[19] He followed that up with the first official goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history, scoring on opening night in a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on October 12, 2021.[3] Donato scored a career-high 16 goals and added 15 assists for 31 points in 74 games, as Seattle missed the playoffs in their inaugural season.
As an impending restricted free agent, Donato was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Kraken and was released as a free agent. On July 27, 2022, after testing the market he was re-signed by the Kraken to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.[20] In the 2022–23 season, Donato built upon his first season with the Kraken by continuing to contribute in a various forward roles in posting 13 goals and 27 points through 71 regular season games. In helping the Kraken qualify for the post-season, he added 2 assists through 14 games.
Chicago Blackhawks
After two seasons with the Kraken, Donato left the club as a free agent and was signed on the opening day of free agency to a two-year, $4 million contract with the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks on July 1, 2023.[21]
Donato made his first appearance at the international level as a junior when he was selected by the United States to participate in the 2016 World Junior Championships. He finished the tournament with 3 goals and 4 points in 7 games, resulting in a bronze medal.
^"Bruins Sign Ryan Donato To Entry-Level Contract". nhl.com/bruins. National Hockey League. March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018. Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, March 18, that the team has signed Harvard forward Ryan Donato to a two-year entry-level contract. Donato will join the Boston Bruins and will be eligible to play in tomorrow night's game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.
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