After becoming the career leading scorer at the Dexter School, Ryan attended Harvard University for three seasons playing for his father, former NHLer, Ted Donato. While at Harvard, Ryan starred for the United States at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. After his collegiate season, Ryan signed with his hometown Boston Bruins, scoring in his debut on March 19, 2018. Known for his great shot and hockey sense, Donato is a now a young emerging player with the Minnesota Wild.