Boudreau with the quote of the year when asked about Wild newcomer Ryan Donato

In case you somehow, some way missed it the Minnesota Wild acquired forward Ryan Donato and a conditional 5th round pick from the Boston Bruins yesterday.

Donato, the son of former longtime NHLer Ted Donato, has played 34 games for the Bruins this season, putting up six goals and nine points. He also has seven goals and 12 points in 18 games with the team’s AHL affiliate Providence Bruins. 

The 22 year old Harvard graduate was a star NCAA player and put up 26 goals and 43 points with Harvard last season. 

Donato is expected to join the Wild for tonights’ game against the New York Rangers and head coach Bruce Boudreau is looking forward to seeing what the youngster can do with his new opportunity. “He’s going to bring some energy,” Boudreau was quoted as saying when asked about his new player. Even better… the veteran coach revealed that he once coached Donato’s father Ted.

It’s true! During an AHL stint with the Manchester Monarchs during the 2001-02 season at the tail end of the elder Donato’s career his bench boss was in fact Boudreau. How awesome is that?