Donovan saw a full season with Belleville in the AHL in 2024-2025. He scored two goals and added nine assists, with the biggest indicator of his contributions being the 81 penalty minutes he posted in 63 games. Donovan skated on the penalty kill, and saw near zero powerplay deployment. If Donovan were to crack the Senator’s line up, the big blueliner will make his mark with his defensive play and the grit he brings to the line up. If your league is a deep league with rewards for defense and pugnacity, he is worth a stash, but if your settings favour offensive contributions more than anything else, you could skate by Donovan.

Donovan played all three games in the prospects tournament held in Buffalo. For a young defender, it can be a good thing to not be noticeable on the ice and that could be said of Donovan for most of this tournament. His mobility is impressive and he skates the puck up ice quite well. He will need to improve his decision making and positioning. He should be back for another season in the OHL.

Donovan had a breakout offensive year with Hamilton in the OHL where he had 12 goals and 33 assists in 55 games. Donovan just turned 19, so he will have another season in the OHL next year where he will hope to round out his overall game and continue to improve. His stock is rising and he could have a big year.

The 18-year-old son of former NHLer Shean Donovan is blessed with excellent speed and mobility on the back end. He struggled at times last year with Hamilton in the OHL where he had three goals and 19 assists in 64 games. He is a very intriguing pick by Ottawa as he possesses all of the tools to be a very good top-four defender in the NHL.