FEATURE: Donato Adds Versatility to the Blackhawks Roster

Every time Ryan Donato faced the Chicago Blackhawks in his career, the roar of the crowd always drew him in with their excitement levels that started with the national anthem.

After the Blackhawks drafted Connor Bedard in the 2023 NHL Draft and signed a few additions to the roster, it made Donato's desire to sign with the team continue to grow.

"Every time we played against them, I always enjoyed being there," Donato said. "I think they have a lot of good pieces that they're adding, obviously, with [the addition with] Bedard is definitely very attractive as well. So, for me, I think there's a lot of things that were very cool about Chicago."

The team signed Donato as a free agent on July 1 as an addition to the lineup and as someone who could step up in any forward position. In his role with the Seattle Kraken last season, he produced a total of 27 points (14G, 13A) through 71 games played.

Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson stated on July 5 that the team wanted to bring Donato to Chicago to add to their long list of versatile veterans such as Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry. With very few injuries last season, Davidson hoped that Donato could be a player who could step up in different roles and felt that Boston native could provide strong qualities to the roster.

"We really value Ryan's versatility, play all three forward positions," Davidson said. "He was a player we kind of had our eye on and then it just worked out that he was available and willing to come join the squad."

For Donato, he described that his versatile style of play always came from his role to help the team win. Whether he provided help on the first or fourth line, penalty kill or power play, he looked forward to the challenge his previous teams threw at him and now in Chicago.

To help himself prepare for his new role with the Blackhawks, he continues to put in work during the offseason to become a faster skater. In today's game, any chance to become a well-rounded player can only improve his career and become that strong player that teams want.

"I think it's just continued to sharpen your tools," Donato said. "I think, in this league, everybody can shoot, pass, make plays, play offense or defense, so for me, I want to continue to work on those type of things."

Not only will Donato rejoin with Blackhawks Associate General Manager Norm Maciver, but he also will rejoin former Kraken and Harvard teammate Colin Blackwell. With the recent reconnection, Donato looks forward to playing with his former teammate and see how the team can perform this season.

As for the Blackhawks organization, Donato knows the standards that the team holds after previous Stanley Cups runs and hopes to continue to bring that winning mentality in the fall.
"It's a great sports city," Donato said. "Obviously, they've had a lot of successful players and Stanley Cup runs that they made. So, to be a part of that, hopefully, is definitely something that I look forward to doing."