Sweeney: Donato Will Get An Opportunity

BOSTON - As the Bruins cruise towards a spot in the postseason, they've added another potential piece of the puzzle with the signing of highly-touted forward prospect Ryan Donato.
General manager Don Sweeney announced on Sunday evening that he had inked the 21-year-old Scituate native to a two-year, entry-level contract. The Harvard standout will forego his senior season with the Crimson and join the Bruins, for whom he will be eligible to play on Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"It came together in pretty short order," Sweeney said during a conference call. "We had always been committed to providing the opportunity to Ryan if and when he decided to leave school…I think it was a bit of an opportunity on both sides to explore at this point in time with Ryan and see where he's at. Again, a chance to jump into our lineup."
Donato finished up a stellar career with Harvard on Friday night following the Crimson's loss to Clarkson in the ECAC semifinals. Boston's 2014 second-round pick led Harvard in scoring this season, recording 26 goals (fourth in the nation) and 17 assists for 43 points in 29 games, while also being selected as one of 10 Hobey Baker finalists, which is awarded annually to the best collegiate hockey player.
"He's a kid that's got a confidence about himself, a talent level, and he's got some details he's gonna have to work on - all young players do," said Sweeney. "But he's a player that has hard skill. We're looking forward to having him join our team, get immersed and get a taste. Then it's up to him."
Donato admitted that it was a difficult decision to leave school and his father, Ted, who is the Crimson's head coach. He finished his Harvard career with 104 points (60 goals, 44 assists), making him one of 32 players in program history to reach the 100-point plateau.
"I am excited to announce that today I have fulfilled a lifelong dream, signing a NHL contract to play for the Boston Bruins," Donato told Harvard's website. "While I am beyond thrilled for this next opportunity, it comes with a bittersweet feeling, as my time as a student-athlete at Harvard comes to a close. I am so thankful for every day I have spent at Harvard and the remarkable people I have met along the way, from the classroom, to the ice, and beyond. It has truly been a privilege to wear the Harvard jersey and represent my school alongside such incredible teammates and coaches.
"My time in the Harvard Hockey program has provided me with some of my closest friends and fondest memories, and I will strive to continue representing Harvard well from afar as I enter this next stage of my life. While no longer on campus, I am so proud to consider myself a member of the greater Harvard community, and I am still fully dedicated to working towards another lifelong dream of mine: a degree from the university that has given me the best three years of my life."
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward displayed he is capable of delivering on the big stage during his breakout performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea last month. Donato led Team USA with five goals and six points in five games.
"I think that sort of gave Ryan a glimpse of what he was capable of doing, albeit he knows that the challenge will be that much greater at the National Hockey League level and certainly coming down the stretch and the environment that he is going to jump in to," said Sweeney. "But he's a kid that's got a confidence about himself, a talent level, and he's got some details that he's going to have to work on - all young players do.
"But he's a kid that has hard skill, so we're looking forward to having him join our team, get immersed, and get a taste, and then it's up to him. He'll take it with however far he can run with it, but he is welcomed to the opportunity."
With Boston down three bodies up front due to injuries to Patrice Bergeron (fractured right foot), David Backes (right leg laceration) and Jake DeBrusk (upper-body), Donato could find himself in the lineup right from the jump.
"I don't think it tipped the scales either way," Sweeney said when asked if the injuries opened up an opportunity for Donato. "I think Ryan might have looked at it as an even bigger opportunity for him to go in and possibly play as early as tomorrow. From our standpoint, we had always been committed to providing the opportunity to Ryan if and when he decided to leave school. I think the two things just kind of lined up accordingly.
"I think it was a bit of an opportunity on both sides to explore this point in time for Ryan and see where he's at and get a chance to jump into our lineup."
Sweeney acknowledged that Donato's game is tilted towards offense and that he will have to learn to round out his game on the fly. Should he do that, Donato could be a valuable contributor down the stretch and into the postseason even after the Bruins return to full health.
"My expectations are that he'll get his feet wet and show us what he can do at this level," said Sweeney. "We're not going to put any pressure on him to say, 'You have to produce.' It's like every player, he's going to be another player that the coach will have an opportunity to play in situations, and the player themselves dictate how much time and circumstances they play in.
"We feel that, if we get healthy, we're going to have a deep group, and he's going to add to that group. Then, it's up to him. We hope that we do get healthy, but we have a lot of games here still upcoming. We haven't clinched anything, so we've got work ahead of us, and he's going to add to that depth of our group."

Future Glimpse

Sweeney also referenced the recent signings of University of Wisconsin forwards Trent Frederic and Cameron Hughes to three-year, entry-level deals. Both players made their pro debuts for Providence this weekend and picked up their first career points with an assist each in the P-Bruins' 4-1 win over Bridgeport on Sunday.
"I think it's a continuation of the commitment of adding talent, character, depth, to our organization," said Sweeney. "We're excited about the opportunity of each and every one of these players. Cam and Trent had a chance to jump in and play this weekend in Providence and Ryan likely will play as early as [Monday in Boston].
"We're excited about the direction of our club and continue adding talent, character to the depth of the organization."

Backes Sidelined

Backes left Saturday night's win over Tampa Bay following a scary sequence in front of the Lightning net during which his right leg was cut by the skate of Tampa's Yanni Gourde. The veteran forward did not return and required a bevy of stiches to close the wound.
Sweeney expects that Backes will be sidelined for at least the next couple of games.
"David Backes returned [to Boston] late last night with the team," said Sweeney. "He did meet with our doctors and they re-evaluated the cut. A timetable hasn't been set for him. It was a pretty significant cut…we'll let nature take its course and let it heal. I don't have a definitive timetable on that one.
"Certainly not day-to-day. I would suspect he'll be out for a couple games and we'll re-evaluate."

Bergeron Could Travel

According to Sweeney, Bergeron continues to progress in his recovery from a fractured right foot suffered three weeks ago in Toronto. Bergeron could travel with the team on its upcoming four-game road trip.
"I think he'll get back on the ice and re-integrate," said Sweeney. "We don't have a definitive timetable. Our doctors have set a hopeful timeframe, but that's the healing process. He may join us on the trip here, but we're gonna wait and see [on Monday] and see where he's at."

DeBrusk Progressing

After missing the last two games with an upper-body injury, DeBrusk is, "continuing to move along and recover," according to Sweeney, who added there is no timetable for the rookie winger's return.