Ottawa Senators Sign Jorian Donovan

The Ottawa Senators’ front office isn’t slowing down to take in training camp. The team announced today that they have signed prospect Jorian Donovan to a three-year entry-level contract.

Donovan, 18, was the team’s fifth-round pick this summer, selected 136th overall after his first season in the OHL. The young defenseman had 22 points in 64 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs, after being the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 OHL priority selection.

While he was born in Calgary, this is a hometown kid for the Senators. Donovan is the son of former NHL forward Shean Donovan, who played more than 950 games in the league and is now a development coach with the organization. He finished his playing career in Ottawa, and coached with the 67’s and the Kanata Lasers, the minor program where Jorian made his name.

It’s not just nepotism that got him this deal though, as general manager Pierre Dorion explains:

We’ve been impressed with Jorian’s game since drafting him in July. He competes hard and will be a defenceman that Hamilton leans on in every situation this season. An athletic player who skates well, getting Jorian under contract today is an important step for the future of the organization.

There is real upside in the young defenseman, and Dorion is right when he says the Bulldogs will be relying on him this season. With the graduation of Nathan Staios and Arber Xhekaj, there will be big minutes available in Hamilton this season. If a player like Donovan takes over in that top role, his value could skyrocket quickly.