Donato Steps Down as Harvard Head Coach

Ted Donato has stepped down as Harvard University's men's hockey head coach after 22 years at the helm of his alma mater.

"It is with immense gratitude that I have decided to end my tenure at Harvard as head coach of the Men's Hockey program," said Donato at gocrimson.com. "I am proud and grateful for all the incredible moments, everlasting memories, and relationships from my 27 years connected to the University as a student-athlete, coach, and parent."   

A 1991 Harvard graduate who led the Crimson to the NCAA title as a sophomore, the Boston native compiled a 334-292-77 record from 2004 to 2026 that included eight NCAA tournament berths, including a Frozen Four appearance in 2017 in Chicago. His coaching ledger in Cambridge, Mass. also included six seasons of 20 or more wins, four ECAC Hockey tournament titles, and four Ivy league crowns. The winningest coach in Harvard men's hockey history, he also helped guide the United States to a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship as an assistant.

Donato, 57, starred at Catholic Memorial High School before going on to play four years at forward at Harvard, where he collected 50 goals and 94 assists for 144 points in 106 career games. A fifth-round draft choice of the Boston Bruins in 1987, he went on to skate in 796 career NHL regular-season outings with Boston, Ottawa, Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, St. Louis, the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers, compiling 150-197—347 points over 13 campaigns, along with 8-10—18 points in 58 career Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. He was also a 1992 U.S Olympian, and played in two IIHF World Championships. His son, Ryan, also a Harvard alumnus, is a current member of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, while younger son Jack also played for his father at Harvard.

The university is expected to begin an immediate national search for Donato's successor.