Ryan Donato on Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Bruins will host the Blue Jackets Monday night at 7 p.m. in search of their ninth win in 11 tries and, with the B's shorthanded without forwards Patrice Bergeron and David Backes, former Harvard star Ryan Donato's eligible to make his NHL debut.
Donato signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the B's yesterday after wrapping up his junior year of college. The 21-year-old Hobey Baker finalist led the Crimson with 26 goals and 43 points, and he also paced Team USA with five goals and six points at the Winter Games.
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Boston general manager Don Sweeney said the deal came together quickly.
"Ryan and the family had been thinking about what may or may not lie ahead," Sweeney said. "I had an opportunity to speak with his family adviser, and with the family and with Ryan himself, and we just worked through what looked like the opportunity he was looking for, and we were happy to provide that."
"We have some injuries," he continued. "We're at a point in the season where we have a lot on the line, and I think his being able to go over and have success at the Olympics this year really sort of jump-started his thought process that he was ready for the next challenge."
Donato had 60 goals and 44 assists in 97 career college games. He was a second-round pick of the B's in 2014 and his dad Ted is the head coach at Harvard.
He spent parts of nine seasons in Black and Gold.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports