NHL Draft 2019: Vegas Golden Knights beef up with Ryder Donovan
The Vegas Golden Knights have added some considerable size to their farm system after selecting Ryder Donovan with the 110th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Donovan is a 6’3″ power forward and becomes the Vegas Golden Knights’ fourth pick of this year’s draft so far.
Although a hulking specimen, McKeen’s Hockey noted that Donovan is a “solid skater for his size, with impressive acceleration and agility helping the package.”
He is committed to the University of Wisconsin for 2019-20 where he will continue his development and hone his craft further.
Donovan posted 37 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in 23 games for Duluth East High School in 2018-19 and is another offensive prospect to add to the farm system.
Vegas’ biggest priority heading into this year’s draft was to address their lack of offensive firepower on the depth chart, and they’ve certainly succeeded in that particular mission.
Not only did they hit the jackpot by drafting elite playmaker Peyton Krebs in the first round on Friday, they have bolstered their pipeline with a combination of power forwards and skilled scorers.
Donovan also wore the ‘C’ on his chest for Duluth East High School, which suggests that the 18-year-old boasts some leadership skills.
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He was ranked #82 by McKeen’s Hockey, #97 by the NHL Central Scouting Network and #78 by TSN.
That is impressive in itself because Donovan, like the vast majority of players the Golden Knights have taken in this draft, have all been ranked higher than the final position they were selected in.
It is just testament to the work carried out by the Vegas scouting department and hopes will be high that Donovan can develop into a potent power forward at the NHL level.