Matt Donovan

ISS: Ranking 160th overall

Red Line: Ranking 179th overall

Competitive family puts Edmond's Donovan on road to NHL success
By Robert Przybylo, oknews.com, July 5, 2008

EDMOND — It's going to take a lot for Matt Donovan to earn family bragging rights.

His father, Larry, is the coach for the University of Oklahoma club hockey team. The squad has quickly become one of the better clubs in the nation.

His mother, Kathryn, is a world champion skeet shooter.

His older sister, Katelyn, was a top flight figure skater before injuries derailed her career.

But Matt took his first step toward reaching the top when he was drafted in the fourth round of the NHL Draft by the New York Islanders two weeks ago.

For Matt Donovan, everything is still a blur.

"I'm still trying to get my feet back on the ground,” he said. "I've been getting phone calls and text messages from people I haven't heard from in years. Everyone just wants to tell me how happy they are for me.”

The selection is the culmination of nearly 18 years of hard work. But even Matt Donovan couldn't believe it at first.

He was watching the draft when he saw his name scroll across the bottom of the screen. About 15 minutes later, an Islanders representative gave him the call that made it official.

"If you ask my dad, he says I learned how to walk and skate at the same time,” Matt said. "I only remember starting to skate and play when I was like 4 years old, but he'll say I've been skating almost since the womb.”

Matt's hockey passion stems from his father. Larry grew up in Boston during the glory days of the Bruins' dominant teams.

But Larry never forced Matt into the game. In fact, most of the time, it was quite the opposite.

"He would drag me to the rink,” Larry Donovan said. "I'd be there all day coaching and looking to go home. But Matt wouldn't let me.”

Well, Matt and his best friend since he was 3 years old, Josh Berge. The Berge and Donovan families are connected at the hip.

Josh's father, Mark Berge, is a defensive coach. Matt, a defenseman, credits Mark Berge for his development as a player.

The same is said by Josh for Larry Donovan as the two offensive minds have combined to make Josh, 18, a rising prospect in the United States Hockey League.

"This has been extremely exciting,” Josh Berge said. "We've done just about everything together.”

It was that tight friendship that made school bearable for Matt Donovan. Not exactly growing up in the hotbed of hockey in Edmond, Matt's best friends are hockey guys.

"It made school a little tough at times because we were all scattered, but I knew I would see the guys at the rink after school,” Matt Donovan said.

Donovan attended Edmond North High before moving to Dallas two years ago and then relocating to Cedar Rapids last year for his first year in the USHL.

The transition could have been tough, but his host family in Iowa happened to be a familiar face.

Mary Clark, who used to work with Larry Donovan, lives in Cedar Rapids. When the Donovans found out that was where Matt was headed, he was quickly on the phone.

"It's such a small world,” Larry Donovan said. "I knew I would be comfortable with him there, and he would be happy, too. She used to babysit him and his sister when he was 1 and she was 3 years old.”

Matt Donovan had 12 goals and 18 assists for Cedar Rapids last year and will play for the RoughRiders again this season while also attending the University of Denver.

Eligibility rules differ in hockey. As long as Donovan doesn't receive any money with Cedar Rapids, he can play for both clubs.

Before then, Matt is headed to New York for minicamp from July 13-20. He won't be alone there, either. His grandparents from New Hampshire will be on hand for support.

"This would be absolutely great for this part of the country for hockey,” said Ray Miron, founder of the Central Hockey League. "The minor programs in Oklahoma City and Tulsa have improved so much. Now we're seeing evidence of that.”

Matt doesn't feel like he has the weight of the world on his back trying to become the first player in more than 70 years to be born and live in Oklahoma and play in the NHL. But he isn't shying away from the pressure, either.

"When you grow up with such a competitive family like I did, you can't really top that,” Matt Donovan said. "This is quite an honor, and I'm going to do all I can to make my family and Oklahoma proud.”

Donovan living unlikely dream
by Jeff Harrison, The Edmond Sun, June 28, 2008

Oklahoma has a penchant for producing some of the nation’s top athletes. The Sooner State may be a hotbed of talent for football, baseball and wrestling talent, but when it comes to hockey, it’s a different story.

Matt Donovan is hoping to change that. The Edmond native became the first Oklahoman to drafted in the National Hockey League, when the New York Islanders tabbed the when the 6-foot, 185 defenseman in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft last week.

“I was pretty much just shocked the first time I saw that I was drafted, and I am still shocked, but still very honored that I was drafted by the Islanders,” said Donovan, who watched the draft at home in Edmond.

Several NHL clubs expressed interest in Donovan before the draft, but he was not sure if his name would be called. His father, Larry Donovan, who is the head coach of the University of Oklahoma club team, knew Matt had a shot, but remained cautious.

“I knew it was a chance, I just didn’t want him to be disappointed, and he wasn’t,” Matt’s father, Larry Donovan said. “He’s worked very hard to get where he’s at and now that work is paying off.”

The former Edmond North student said it was tough drawing attention in Oklahoma, and hopes he can serve as an inspiration to young players across the state.

“It is such an honor that I’m the first player to ever get drafted out of Oklahoma, it makes me think I give hope to young kids playing in Oklahoma, now they now know it’s possible,” Donovan said.

It was not that long ago that 18-year-old was another young player hoping to get noticed. Donovan grew up playing hockey in Oklahoma, but left for Texas two years ago to play with the Dallas Stars AAA team. That exposure helped him attract attention from the United States Hockey League (USHL), an all-junior circuit that prepares future collegiate and professional players. The Cedar Rapids Roughriders selected Donovan in the first-round of the 2007 draft.

“It’s just like a ladder, you have keep working up to next level,” Donovan said.

“You have to be there where the people are at, and they don’t come to Oklahoma to watch hockey,” Larry Donovan said.

In his first season with the Roughriders, Donovan scored 12 goals and added 18 assists in 59 games.

Donovan will head to New York for a mini-camp in July. He plans to spend the rest of the summer in Oklahoma, before returning to Cedar Rapids for one more year in the USHL and to finish high school. After graduation Donovan will then play hockey at the University of Denver and hope to earn a shot at the pros.

“The Islanders have my draft rights, so when they think I’m ready they’ll offer me a contract,” Donovan said.

Edmond native Donovan drafted by Islanders
By Robert Przybylo, newsok.com, June 21, 2008

EDMOND - Matt Donovan saw his name scroll across the television screen and did a second take. Was there another Matt Donovan that was just drafted by the New York Islanders in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Draft?

A call from an Islanders representative about 15 minutes later confirmed that it wasn’t. Donovan, from Edmond, was the 96th selection late Friday night. Donovan, a 5-11, 185-pound defenseman, was the sole Oklahoman drafted in the seven rounds.

“I was just sitting on the couch and watching everything,” Donovan said. “I’d say the Islanders are a good fit for me, but the truth is any team is. I would have been excited no matter where I ended up.”

Donovan, who turned 18 last month, never thought this was possible so quickly, if at all. But at a camp with Cedar Rapids of the United States Hockey League a couple weeks ago, Donovan turned heads. The Los Angeles Kings, in particular, showed a lot of interest.

This continues a successful trend for Donovan. He was the 10th overall selection by Cedar Rapids last year in the USHL Draft. And before he hits the professional ranks, he’ll spend time at NCAA powerhouse, the University of Denver. Denver won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005.

“Things are just happening so fast right now. It’s a blur,” Donovan said. “I tried to act all calm when the Islanders called, but this is so awesome.”

Donovan’s next step is attending the Islanders’ mini-camp in July and soaking in everything he can before coming back to Oklahoma to train for the rest of the summer.

Nobody knows how difficult it is for an Oklahoman to get drafted more than Matt’s father, Larry Donovan. Larry is the head coach of the University of Oklahoma club hockey team.

“I can’t really explain it at this point,” Larry Donovan said. “I think it’s safe to say I’m the happiest dad in Oklahoma today.”

Matt Donovan said it’s really tough for players from Oklahoma to get noticed. But there is one ace in the hole, Mike McEwen. And it’s only fitting Donovan is drafted by the same team where McEwen won three Stanley Cup championships.

“He’s always been someone for us younger kids to look up to,” Matt Donovan said. “He would give us the confidence that stuff like this is possible.”

Donovan scored 12 goals with 18 assists in 59 games with Cedar Rapids last season. He also led the team in the plus-minus ratio with a plus-19.

USHL: Q & A With Matt Donovan
by Kevin Wey, McKeen's Hockey, February 5, 2008

The USHL has a strong crop of defensemen eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Matt Donovan is one of them. The 6-foot-0, 190-pound blueliner is not as big as some others are, but the Oklahoman is among the USHL's leaders in defensemen scoring as a rookie and leads the league in plus/minus just over halfway through 2007-08. 

McKeen's recently had the opportunity to chat with Donovan and talked about his adjustment to the USHL, his father's impact in his development, his time with the Dallas Jr. Stars, playing for Team USA, his commitment to the University of Denver, and his NHL role model. 

McKeen's: We are a little over halfway through 2007-08 and you are among the top ten in USHL defense scoring and leading the league in plus/minus. What are some of the things that have helped you adjust smoothly, from appearance, and what have been the biggest adjustments for you? 

Donovan: Um, the skating and the toughness, everyone's tougher here, it's stronger. The USHL is a really tough league and it's a pretty hard process to get into, strength wise, with all these guys. But, all the older guys on our team have been pretty good in giving us tips in what to do. So, that's pretty good. 

McKeen's: As far as tips go, obviously your father is big in hockey in the state of Oklahoma as the USA Hockey coaching coordinator for the state and a big part in developing the ACHA D1 team at Oklahoma. Tell me about his impact in your development and some of the stuff he taught you. 

Donovan: It's a huge impact. He's been with me ever since I started skating, he's the one that got me into to. So, pretty much all the basic stuff, I learned from him. So, he's been a big help. 

McKeen's: Your dad is originally from Massachusetts, and he was a linesman in the Central Hockey League and even played three games, at what point did he make the move to Oklahoma? 

Donovan: I think in college he moved down there as a transfer student, and then he liked it down there and met my mom, so he stayed there. 

McKeen's: That will do it. Now, prior to Cedar Rapids, you played Midget AAA with the Dallas Jr. Stars, a highly regarded program, especially now. Tell me about your decision to go play there and your time there. 

Donovan: My decision to play there was just because it was close to home and it's a really good program and my dad knew Dwight Mullins, the coach there (now with the Texas Tornado), and Craig Ludwig, defensive coach there, a really, really good coach. He played many years in the NHL. So, my dad wanted me to go there, learn a lot from him, and that's pretty much how I made my decision. 

McKeen's: Obviously, with a great defensive defenseman like Craig Ludwig to show you the ropes, it is a big help. What were some of the big things Craig imparted upon you? 

Donovan: One main thing I remember and learned from him was just keeping a good stick, keeping my stick out there and just taking away time from the offensive players coming down the ice. 

McKeen's: What are some of the areas you are looking to improve in your game while you are with Cedar Rapids? 

Donovan: Um, skating, I need to get quicker, a lot quicker. Since this league is so good and so fast, strong, I need to get quicker and stronger. 

McKeen's: I have noticed in your backwards skating that you are fairly strong in not having to use a lot of crossovers once you've established your speed. Tell me about the importance of that and when you picked that up, because in the NHL, too many crossovers backward will kill you. 

Donovan: Yeah, just coming up through hockey, I've always been taught not to crossover, because when you crossover, it'll kill. The forwards, especially in this league, they're so fast and quick, they'll kill you if you start crossing over. 

McKeen's: On the flipside, what do you feel are some areas of strength in your game? 

Donovan: I feel like I see the ice pretty well, make some good passes here and there, play pretty strong defense. So, I think I'm pretty good. 

McKeen's: Now, you played for Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tell me about the how Select Festival was for you leading into that and what was your reaction to being selected? 

Donovan: It was really exciting. I was really honored to play for Team USA, so that was good. Going through Select Festivals was fun. The coaches were just talking to me through the Select Festival, telling me what I needed to do to get on the team. So, I just listened to them and did what I needed to do. 

McKeen's: With that tournament, tell me about the hockey there and some of the things you took away from it. 

Donovan: Um, the hockey was really good. All the kids were our age and the best kids in the whole world just go there to play. Pretty much, what I learned from there is just that those are the best kids in our age and that's where I need to look up to and where I need to be, where I need to play. 

McKeen's: It helps you gauge yourself and set the bar. 

Donovan: Yeah, exactly. 

McKeen's: Any particular highlights from the tournament, either on or off the ice? 

Donovan: Off the ice, just a great team. All-around, great players to play with and a great coaching staff. It was a great experience. 

McKeen's: You are a Denver University recruit, going there in 2009. Tell me about that decision to play the extra year in the USHL. 

Donovan: Actually, I kind of have to, because I'm only a junior in high school. 

McKeen's: Yeah, that will settle that for you. 

Donovan: (Chuckles) Yeah, that'll settle it. So, yeah, I pretty much have to play two years. 

McKeen's: Well that will work out pretty well and give you that much more time to mature before going to Denver. With Denver, when did they start talking to you, or vice versa, and what was the process that coach George Gwozdecky led you through? 

Donovan: Pretty much, my dad has always been pretty good friends with the assistant coaches there and they've always talked to me and always watched me, growing up through the hockey ranks. They pretty much watched me through the Select Festivals and watched me in Dallas. My Dallas coach talked to them a lot. They always liked me and I finally decided to go there. It's pretty close to home, great program, great school. So, my dad likes where I'm going. 

McKeen's: What was the date that you committed? 

Donovan: Umm, that's a good question. Um, May of last year. 

McKeen's: It is not bad to know toward the end of your sophomore year where you will be going. The NHL Entry Draft is coming up, do you ever think about that at all? 

Donovan: I try not to think about it. I just try and work hard and see where it takes me. 

McKeen's: Central Scouting, in the mid-term rankings, did not have you ranked. What was your reaction? 

Donovan: I don't know, makes me want to work harder. It's all I need to do, tells me I need work a little harder to get noticed. 

McKeen's: Or, perhaps some need better eyes. And lastly, I read that, other than your dad, you look up to Nicklas Lidstrom. Tell me a bit about, this is obvious on its face, but tell me a bit about what it is about Lidstrom's game that you like? 

Donovan: Just, like, his defensive play. He's so strong, doesn't make many mistakes, plays his way, and doesn't make many mistakes. That's what I like about him, and I try to play kind of like him, similar to him. 

McKeen's: Going back to when you were talking about using your stick, that is obviously something Lidstrom is very well known for. 

Donovan: Exactly. 

McKeen's: Plus, you guys are roughly the same size. 

Donovan: Yeah, he's not a big guy. He knows how to play with his stick.

RoughRiders Donovan Named USHL Defensive Player of the Week
roughridershockey.com, January 22, 2008

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Defenseman Matt Donovan has been named CCM United States Hockey League Defensive Player of the Week. 

Donovan, 17, scored two goals and picked up one assist while posting a plus/minus rating of +2 in three games last week. The Edmond, Oklahoma, native scored a tying goal in what would prove to be a 4-2 Rider loss to the Steel last Wednesday in Chicago, picked up an assist on home ice two nights later in a 5-3 setback at the hands to the Steel, and scored the only Rider goal in a hard fought 2-1 loss to the Sioux City Musketeers last Saturday night in Cedar Rapids. This marks the second time this season that Donovan has been named Defensive Player of the Week.

On the season, Donovan leads the league in plus/minus (+20), is tied for seventh among defensemen in goals (5) and is tied for ninth among blue liners in points (17).

The RoughRiders picked Donovan in the first round of May’s United States Hockey League draft with the tenth overall selection. The Denver recruit played midget hockey for the Dallas Junior Stars last season.

RoughRiders' Hjelle, Donovan Earn USHL Weekly Honors
roughridershockey.com, October 8, 2007

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders’ Brady Hjelle has been named Stauber’s Goalcrease United States Hockey League Goaltender of the Week, while RoughRiders defenseman Matt Donovan has been named CCM USHL Defensive Player of the Week. 

“Brady and Matt are both good young players guys who had solid weekends for us,” said RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson. “They’ve come in and worked hard to adapt to the USHL and certainly give us a lot to look forward to the rest of the season.”

Donovan, also 17, scored two goals and picked up one assist last weekend. Donovan scored the Riders’ first goal of the season and assisted on the second in last Friday’s win over the Steel. The Edmond, Oklahoma, finished the evening with a game-high plus/minus rating of +3. One night later, in the Riders’ defeat of the Ice, Donovan scored a key insurance goal on the power play. After two games Donovan leads USHL defensemen and is tied for third overall in both points (3) and plus/minus (+3). The RoughRiders picked Donovan in the first round of May’s United States Hockey League draft with the tenth overall selection. The Denver recruit played midget hockey for the Dallas Junior Stars last season.

RoughRiders’ Donovan, Wideman, Hjelle Named to U.S. Under-18 Team
roughridershockey.com, July 17, 2007

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defensemen Matt Donovan and Chris Wideman and goaltender Brady Hjelle have been named to the United States Under-18 Select Team that will play in the 2007 Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament from August 14-18 in Piestany, Slovakia and Hodonin, Czech Republic.

The RoughRiders selected Donovan, 17, in the first round of May’s United States Hockey League draft with the tenth overall selection. The Edmond, Oklahoma, native played midget hockey for the Dallas Junior Stars last season.

Donovan first state player taken in USHL first round
Bob Hersom, The Daily Oklahoman (June 30, 2007)

Matt Donovan of Edmond has made Oklahoma hockey history.

Donovan, 17, was the 10th player picked in the USHL draft last month. The Cedar Rapids (Iowa) RoughRiders took Donovan with their first pick. He is the first Oklahoman to be taken in the first round of the USHL draft.

"I was pretty excited, pretty surprised, actually, because I wasn't expecting to go in the first round," said Donovan, a former Edmond North student. "They said they probably were going to draft me, but they didn't say when, so I was thinking it was going to be later."

Donovan, a 6-foot, 185-pound defenseman, is the son of Larry Donovan, coach of the OU club hockey team.

Another Oklahoma City area student, Josh Berge, son of former Blazers player Mark Berge, was drafted in the 17th round by the Tri-City Storm.

The USHL is the top amateur hockey league in the U.S. Governed by USA Hockey, it is the only Tier I junior league in the country. Twenty-six former USHL players were taken in this year's NHL draft, three in the first round.

"It's very rare to see a person from Oklahoma doing this," Donovan said. "It's hard to explain to people around here, because a lot of people don't really know what the USHL is, how big it really is."

Donovan will attend Kennedy High School while he's in Cedar Rapids from October to early April. Last year he attended Coppell High School while playing AAA Midget hockey for the Dallas Junior Stars.

He is the first Dallas Junior Stars player to be a first-round draft choice in the USHL.

Donovan has committed to play for the University of Denver, an NCAA powerhouse, for the 2009-10 season. He is the second Oklahoman to earn a major college hockey scholarship. The first was Mick Berge, who played for Minnesota State-Mankato as well as Lincoln of the USHL.

Edmond hockey player signs with USHL
Ryan Piersol, The Edmond Sun, May 23, 2007

— Matt Donovan wasn't exactly raised in the ideal situation for an NHL hopeful. 
He lives in Edmond, a place long-renowned for its interest in golf. A place more interested in kicking a ball up and down a field than chasing a puck on ice. A place that doesn't even have state-associated hockey teams. 
Last week, though, Donovan made a tremendous step toward changing his fate. The Edmond North sophomore was drafted into the United States Hockey League, a sort of preparatory league for players who dream of some day playing in professional hockey. 
"This is a big deal. Not many people get to do it," he said. "It's been very difficult, coming from Oklahoma. But I've played hockey my whole life and worked hard at it and I'm getting an opportunity." 
Donovan, a defenseman, was taken in the first round of the USHL draft by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. He'll spend the next two years with them, attending school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
The 17-year-old spent much of this past school year in Dallas, Tex., playing for the Dallas Stars AAA. He's been playing the sport since he was just three, having also competed for the Oklahoma City Junior Blazers and the club team at Edmond North. 
It was during Donovan's time in Dallas that he attracted the attention of the USHL, a league that will provide him with top-notch competition. Nearly all of the country's collegiate hockey players have competed on this kind of level and many players in the NHL have as well. 
"Pretty much all of the people in the NHL, from the U.S., go through the USHL," Donovan said. "It's something you have to do if you're serious about hockey and want to pursue it." 
Donovan is the first ever Stars player chosen in the first round of the USHL draft. He has committed to play collegiate hockey at Denver University, widely considered one of the top programs in the country. Denver won back-to-back national championships in 2004-05.