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Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Grab Star Blueliner, OHL Champion Donovan from Bulldogs

January 8, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit have acquired 19-year-old defenseman and OHL champion Jorian (JOR-ee-an) Donovan from the Brantford Bulldogs, the team announced Monday evening. In exchange, the Spirit send to Brantford the following picks in the OHL Priority Selection:

- 2nd 2025 (BAR)

- 2nd 2026 (OS)

- 3rd 2025 (OTT)

- 3rd 2025 (BAR)

- 3rd 2026 (SAG)

- 3rd 2027 (SAG)

- 4th 2026 (MISS)

- 4th 2027 (SAG)

"The acquisition of Jorian Donovan checks so many boxes for us," said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. "The amount of experience this young man has packed into his hockey career is remarkable, and that naturally leads to the character and leadership qualities our staff seeks out. We believe we've gotten the best two-way defender in the league."

Standing at 6'2", 195lbs, the left-shot defenseman is in his third season of OHL action. Through 34 games with the Bulldogs this season, he's tallied 28 points (9G, 19A) as an instrumental part of Brantford's back end. His point total currently places him 16th in scoring among OHL defensemen.

Donovan was a key piece of the Bulldogs' 2022 OHL Championship season from the very beginning, skating in 64 games during the regular season and 13 postseason contests. His 22 points during the 2021-2022 season were 10th among rookie blueliners that year. Donovan also appeared in all five games for the Bulldogs at the 2022 Memorial Cup in Saint John.

This year, the Richmond, Ont. native got to represent his home country at the IIHF World Junior Championship as a late addition to the roster. Donovan skated in all five games with Canada at this year's tournament.

A fifth-round selection of the Ottawa Senators in the 2022 NHL Draft, Donovan signed a three-year, entry level contract on September 23rd, 2022. He made his pro debut came in April of 2023 for the Belleville Senators (AHL). Donovan's father, Shean is an Ottawa Senators alum and current development coach in Belleville.

Brantford (then Hamilton) selected Donovan with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. In 153 career OHL games, Donovan has 24 goals and 71 assists for 95 points.

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