From: NHL.com
The New York Islanders announced today that defenseman Matt Donovan has agreed to terms on an entry-level contract. Donovan will report to the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, to play out the remainder of the 2010-11 season on an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO). His entry-level contract will commence in the upcoming 2011-12 season.
Donovan, 20, led all University of Denver defensemen in scoring this season with a career-best 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) as a sophomore.
The Islanders selected Donovan in the fourth round (96th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
42 comments:
yaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn.
I thought I read here that Donovan was to small to play professional hockey.
That's a joke boy.
Maybe they'll teach him how to play defense in the ECHL.
I really hope he doesn't flounder.
He is going to do awesome! great kid and hard worker!
I second that
He is a good ol oklahoma boy, real classy, great skater, good shot, good hockey sense, nice abs..he will be great at the next level!
His shot is great and his puck handling ability is top notch! He is a class act and deserves a shot at the pro. Good luck to Matt and his wonderful family
He has the lower body of an Oklahoma Bison!
Top notch puck handling? Hahahahaha
Well good luck to him. I'm sure Doug Weight will be watching him and Rhett quite intently during thier camp
Tough loss for DU. He was a good player. Moved well with the puck and had a nice shot. Although this is a loss it should not effect DU much.
On one wall in the DU locker room, put a poster-size photo of Brock Trotter playing hockey in some small, eastern European country. To the left of it, place pictures of DU stars who left early and are toiling in obscurity in the minor leagues. To the right, place pictures of the crappy motels and buses used by those teams.
On the opposite wall, place pix of successful DU hockey players who have earned a degree. Some would be standing in front of nice homes, others flashing championship rings and big smiles and all showing off a DU "sheep skin."
GOOD ONE!
Last time I heard that one I fell off my dinosaur..
Boys- live your dreams, those who can.....play, those who can't post on blogs!
Its the people on the blogs who fund professional sports and fund the dreams of players come true.
Fans are just as essential as players are..,,
I wish him the best as I do all Pioneers, but he is not ready. If he gets a couple games in the NHL this spring for the Islanders to see what they've got, they will see a defenseman absolutely abused by NHL speed that will pounce on his no-look passes at the blue line....
Good luck to him though, sincerely.
I have to say I think he would have benefited from another year at DU. If he turns out he isn't ready for the pros then he could really end up hurting his development. Nonetheless, I respect his ability to make the decision that is best for him.
However, I do have one major problem with this signing. Why so soon? It seems really disrespectful to the team and the program to sign just a few days after being knocked out of the tournament.
It really makes me wonder if his head was in it at the end. It just sends the wrong message.
I thought the same thing about the timing. Kind of like dating your next door neighbor as they carry your husband to the family plot.
Matt will not be playing with the Islanders this year and has already been sent to Bridgeport of the AHL. He probably signed so soon because the Islanders just lost 2 d-men for the season and called up 2 from Bridgeport. As they were short d-men in Bridgeport it made sense for them to sign Matt now. He is on an ATO and his regular contract doesn't begin until next season. I'd rather find out now he was leaving than in August.
Its the way its done these days. Minnesota & Wisconsin guys signed two weeks ago, Bemidji players a week ago and DU & BC players this week.
The players sign so quickly because the AHL season is winding down and they want to show everyone what they can do.
Best of luck to you Dono! Represent DU as well in the pros as you did while you were here. You'll be missed.
Better to sign now then in August. Gives Gwoz time to bring in another body if needed.
I post the same thing every year, but people need to not get so butt hurt over players leaving early. Their dream is to play in the NHL, let them live their dream without taking it personally.
Also, coming to the conclusion that a lack of success is due to players dreaming about the pros is just ridiculous. I've never been in the locker room, but I guarantee you that every player on the team gave it their all and was completely empty after the loss to UND this year and RIT last year.
Also, it's rather trivial to debate whether or not a player should have gone pro or not. As fans, we have no clue about 99% of the input that goes into making that decision.
Like that article about Chevy a few weeks back. He was able to get double salary by doing what he did. Last year when we were debating whether or not Chevy should have gone pro...how many people took that factor into consideration?
On side note, my girlfriend has a cat named “Dono.” It’s not short for Donovan or anything like that but I just thought you guys would like to know. His name is actually “I Don’t Know” but “Dono” is how the vet decided to abbreviate his name on paper work…
Mexico- you're the only one in that relationship with a pussy.
What's Brock Trotter up to these days? I always wonder the reason for his quick departure.
Trotter is playing hockey in Riga, Latvia.
Please no Trotter speculation, because I don't want to be sued. Post Trotter gossip over at USCHO.com because I could care less if they are sued.
Not surprised at all. Icelanders are a basement team in our division (Eastern-Atlantic) and they are trying to rebuild. Lets go Rangers!
How has it been that so many of the Pios who have gone pro over the past 5-6 years start their career in the Islanders system with that crazy owner/gm combo up there...
du78- thanks for clearing that up it definitely makes the timing more understandable
Because at the end of the day, drafting hockey players is random exercise and they must like the way Gwozdecky and staff read talent and develop it.
Pretty funny comment on the Isles blog. "Another injury and he could be on the Isles by the end of the week".
I would think Nutini, Kyle Ostrow and Anthony Maiani would generate interest from minor league or European teams looking for new blood...,
big mistake on his part...he won't make it in the NHL by leaving this early
I have talked to him personally before. Matt simply has the personality and attitude and demeanor - and I mean off the ice - as a human being and a respectable young man - to "make it". Whether that means in the NHL, AHL, CHL or not even in hockey.... his parents can be proud... especially given his background... and that he no doubt matured away from the traditional household setting most of us know. It's a different world, living with billet families, always away from Mom & Dad.... and that makes Matt's situation all the more admirable in my opinion.
Serious question. Lots of times we say that such and such player left too early.
I understand the argument that such and such player isn't good enough to make it in the pros (or it's such a long shot) so they would be better off getting a free education.
The other argument is that it is that by leaving too early they are hurting their chances of making the NHL. The argument theorectically makes sense, but I really can't think of one recent example. Perhaps Colborne? Definitely not Dingle, Pauko, Butler, Carle, Stats, etc.
Either those guys were good enough to make the NHL or they weren't. Staying another year would not have helped Dingle make the NHL. Was Ruegs better off by staying all 4 years?
When the guy who is gonna be signing your pay check says it's time to make the jump, it's hard to ignore.
Two words folks.....distance learning. Anyone can finish a degree. But how many of us get the chance to play a sport for a living?? You gotta strike while the iron is hot! Good luck Matt!!
I was certainly a critic at times of Dono but he does have flashes of brilliance. I was looking forward to seeing him in his junior year but best of luck! He played hard and will be missed!
Hey - it's a living. Getting paid to play ice hockey, like you've dreamed about since you were like 5 yrs old, sure beats working at Home Depot or Dominos Pizza - and sure beats doing a summer internship somewhere.
You got that right!
Congrats to Matt a very exciting time in his young life!
GO DU!
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