Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Ryan Donato is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on April 9, 1996, in Massachusetts, United States, Donato comes from a family with a strong sporting background, particularly in ice hockey.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ryan Donato is a husband, father, son, and older brother. His wife, Bradley Donato, and their two daughters are important parts of his personal life, while his parents and siblings have supported his hockey journey since childhood.
His father, Ted Donato, is a former NHL player and longtime Harvard University hockey coach, while his mother, Jeannine Donato, has supported the family’s sporting ambitions.
Who Is Ryan Donato’s Wife or Girlfriend?
Ryan Donato is married to Bradley Donato, formerly known as Bradley Fusco. The couple married on July 30, 2023, after several years together.
Bradley has been part of Ryan’s life throughout important stages of his professional hockey career, including his time with the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Their relationship was publicly documented as early as February 2019, when Bradley was identified as Ryan’s girlfriend in a Minnesota Star Tribune report about his trade from Boston to Minnesota.
The couple later became engaged and organized their wedding for July 30, 2023. Their wedding registry also indicated plans to celebrate their honeymoon in Greece and Italy.
Bradley has a personal understanding of hockey, having played the sport herself. This background has helped her appreciate the demanding schedule and responsibilities associated with Ryan’s NHL career.
In an October 2024 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Ryan praised his wife for supporting him while he balanced professional hockey with becoming a father.
The couple has also expressed their appreciation for living in Chicago, where they have been able to establish a more stable family life.
How Many Children Does Ryan Donato Have?
Ryan Donato and his wife, Bradley, have two daughters: Charlie Donato and Millie Eleanore Donato.
The couple welcomed their first daughter in September 2024 and their second daughter in February 2026.
Fatherhood has become an increasingly important part of Ryan’s life, influencing how he balances professional commitments with time spent at home.
Charlie Donato – Ryan Donato’s First Daughter
Charlie Donato is the first child of Ryan and Bradley Donato. She was born in September 2024, during Ryan’s time with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Her birth marked an important milestone for the couple, who were beginning a new chapter as parents.
Ryan discussed his experiences as a new father in an October 2024 Chicago Sun-Times article about several Blackhawks players welcoming children.
He explained that traveling for NHL games sometimes made it difficult to spend time with his daughter. Like other players with young families, he used video calls to stay connected while away from home.
In later interviews, Ryan credited his family’s happiness and the arrival of his daughter as positive influences on his personal life and hockey career.
Millie Eleanore Donato – Ryan Donato’s Second Daughter
Millie Eleanore Donato is Ryan and Bradley Donato’s second daughter. She was born on February 19, 2026.
During the NHL’s February 2026 Olympic break, Ryan remained in Chicago to support his wife as the couple prepared for their second child’s arrival.
In an interview reported by The Hockey Writers, Donato confirmed that Bradley was expecting another girl and said he planned to focus on family responsibilities during the break.
On February 21, 2026, Bleacher Nation reported that Ryan had shared the happy news of Millie’s birth with the Blackhawks organization. Both Bradley and their newborn daughter were reported to be healthy.
The arrival of Millie made Ryan and Bradley parents of two daughters.
Who Are Ryan Donato’s Parents?
Ryan Donato’s parents are Ted Donato and Jeannine Donato. They raised Ryan and his three younger siblings in Scituate, Massachusetts.
The Donato family has strong connections to athletics, especially ice hockey. Ryan’s father enjoyed a lengthy NHL career before becoming a college hockey coach, while his mother helped provide a supportive environment for their children.
Ryan Donato’s Father: Ted Donato
Ted Donato is Ryan Donato’s father, a former professional ice hockey player, and the longtime head coach of the Harvard Crimson men’s hockey team.
Born on April 28, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, Ted played collegiate hockey at Harvard University before beginning his professional career.
He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round of the 1987 NHL Draft and subsequently played 796 NHL regular-season games.
During his career, Ted represented several teams, including the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers.
He also represented the United States at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
Following his playing career, Ted became the head coach of Harvard University’s men’s hockey team in 2004.
His professional experience significantly influenced Ryan’s development as a hockey player.
Ryan later attended Harvard University, where he played under his father’s coaching from 2015 to 2018.
The father-son relationship was particularly visible during the 2018 Winter Olympics, when Ryan represented the United States in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Ted offered his son advice during the tournament, and both became members of a rare group of fathers and sons who have scored goals for the United States in Olympic men’s ice hockey.
Ryan has frequently acknowledged his father’s guidance, explaining that Ted understands the challenges of professional hockey from both a player’s and a coach’s perspective.
Ryan Donato’s Mother: Jeannine Donato
Jeannine Donato is Ryan Donato’s mother and the wife of former NHL player Ted Donato.
Jeannine has a background in healthcare and athletics. She studied nursing at Villanova University, where she also participated in collegiate soccer.
She has worked as a nurse and has experience in neurological healthcare.
As the mother of four children, Jeannine has supported her family’s sporting and educational activities.
Her involvement in Ryan’s career became particularly visible during the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Jeannine traveled to South Korea with family members, including her daughter Madelyn, to support Ryan as he competed for Team USA.
Her presence at important events throughout Ryan’s career demonstrates the close relationship between the player and his family.
Ryan Donato’s Siblings
Ryan Donato has three younger siblings: two brothers, Jack Donato and Nolan Donato, and one sister, Madelyn Donato.
The four siblings grew up in Scituate, Massachusetts, where athletics and family activities were important parts of their childhood.
Jack Donato – Ryan Donato’s Brother
Jack Donato is Ryan Donato’s younger brother and a former collegiate ice hockey player.
Like Ryan and their father, Jack attended Harvard University and played for the Harvard Crimson men’s hockey team.
Jack joined the program in 2017, allowing him to share the ice with Ryan during Ryan’s final collegiate season.
Both brothers were coached by their father, Ted Donato, creating a distinctive family connection within Harvard’s hockey program.
Jack played for Harvard through the 2021–22 season.
Ryan has spoken positively about his experience playing alongside his younger brother and has remained supportive of his hockey career.
Nolan Donato – Ryan Donato’s Brother
Nolan Donato is another of Ryan Donato’s younger brothers.
Unlike Ryan and Jack, who developed strong connections to competitive ice hockey, Nolan has been recognized for his interest and talent in music.
In a 2018 interview with Massachusetts Hockey, Ryan described Nolan as an exceptionally talented singer.
Although Nolan has generally maintained a more private life than his professional hockey-playing brother, Ryan has publicly expressed pride in his abilities.
Their relationship illustrates how the Donato family supports different interests and talents among its children.
Madelyn Donato – Ryan Donato’s Sister
Madelyn Donato, also known as Maddie, is Ryan Donato’s younger sister and the youngest of the four Donato siblings.
Growing up in Scituate, Madelyn participated in several sports, including soccer, lacrosse, and tennis.
Ryan has been supportive of her athletic activities, just as she has supported his hockey career.
Madelyn received public attention in February 2018 when she accompanied her mother, Jeannine, to South Korea to watch Ryan compete at the Winter Olympics.
Her presence during the tournament highlighted the family’s close bond and their commitment to celebrating one another’s achievements.
Ryan Donato’s Family Background and Hockey Legacy
Ryan Donato grew up in a household with deep connections to competitive sports.
His father was already an established professional hockey player before becoming a coach, giving Ryan early exposure to the demands of the sport.
Ryan attended Dexter School in Massachusetts before enrolling at Harvard University, where he became one of the program’s standout players.
During the 2017–18 college hockey season, he established himself among the country’s leading players and earned recognition as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
He also represented the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics before making his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in March of that year.
His younger brother Jack continued the family’s connection to Harvard hockey, while Nolan and Madelyn pursued their own interests.
The family’s sporting connections extend beyond Ryan’s immediate relatives. His cousin, John Farinacci, is also a professional hockey player who attended Harvard University.
Although Ryan’s professional career has taken him to several NHL organizations, he has consistently emphasized the importance of family support.
Marriage and fatherhood have brought additional responsibilities, and his desire for stability was among the factors influencing his interest in remaining with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Donato’s Family
Who is Ryan Donato’s wife?
Ryan Donato’s wife is Bradley Donato, formerly Bradley Fusco. The couple married on July 30, 2023.
Does Ryan Donato have a girlfriend?
Ryan Donato is married to Bradley Donato. She was previously known publicly as his girlfriend before their engagement and marriage.
How many children does Ryan Donato have?
Ryan Donato has two daughters with his wife, Bradley. Their names are Charlie Donato and Millie Eleanore Donato.
When was Ryan Donato’s first daughter born?
Ryan Donato’s first daughter, Charlie, was born in September 2024.
When was Ryan Donato’s second daughter born?
His second daughter, Millie Eleanore Donato, was born on February 19, 2026.
Who is Ryan Donato’s father?
Ryan Donato’s father is Ted Donato, a former NHL player and longtime head coach of Harvard University’s men’s ice hockey team.
Who is Ryan Donato’s mother?
Ryan Donato’s mother is Jeannine Donato, who has a background in nursing and has supported her children’s athletic careers.
How many siblings does Ryan Donato have?
Ryan Donato has three younger siblings: Jack Donato, Nolan Donato, and Madelyn Donato.
Is Ryan Donato related to Ted Donato?
Yes. Ted Donato is Ryan Donato’s father. Both played professional hockey in the NHL and represented the United States at the Winter Olympics.
Does Ryan Donato have a brother who plays hockey?
Yes. His younger brother, Jack Donato, played college hockey at Harvard University under their father, Ted Donato.
Where is Ryan Donato’s family from?
Ryan Donato’s family is from Scituate, Massachusetts, United States.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
