A new Bruins player is learning how to balance life as a professional athlete and a Harvard senior.

On March 19th, 2018, Ryan Donato played in his first ever NHL game at the TD Garden in Boston, MA against the Tampa Bay Lighting. Being not far from his hometown, Scituate MA, it was always his dream to dress for the Bruins. In his debut he tallied a goal and two assists. He then attended class at Harvard the next day.

Senior Jack Phelan is a committed Bruins fan from East Longmeadow, MA. He is impressed with Donato’s play.

“My favorite thing about his play is his great hockey IQ,” said Jack. “He works well with [Patrice]Bergeron and [David] Pastranak, and I think he will improve their power play and help the Bruins with their playoff push.”

Junior Kevin Lassman from Parkland Florida, commented on Donato’s game.

“I think he is a magician with the puck, it’s unbelievable”

While this is not only an impressive feat for someone’s first NHL game, it makes it even more impressive that he is still attending college at Harvard, where he is a sociology major.

After his impressive first game, he missed the Bruins morning practice to attend his class.

Mr. Rivenburg, a teacher and hockey coach at Williston, said, ” I think it is very impressive and shows how he is dedicated to both school and his hockey career.”

Donato was drafted 54th overall in 2014 by the Boston Bruins. He then played three years on the Harvard Men’s Hockey team, and after the Harvard 2017-18 season came to an end his got the call up to the Bruins.

While it is rare for a college athlete to play in the pros while still in college, Donato is one of the few to do it. Another player who has done this is Casey Mittelstadt who, on March 26, 2018, signed an entry level contract with the Buffalo Sabres, while still attending school at The University of Minnesota.