Change is afoot at one of the region's most storied college hockey programs.
Longtime Harvard men's hockey coach Ted Donato announced Thursday that he plans to step away as head coach of the Crimson following the academic year.
"It is with immense gratitude that I have decided to end my tenure at Harvard as head coach of the men's hockey program," Donato said in a statement. "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."
Harvard announced that it will immediately begin a national search for its next head coach.
"Ted Donato is a local hockey legend with long family ties to the Boston sports community," athletic director Erin McDermott said in a statement. "He has been a proud and dedicated Harvard hockey player and coach. We thank Ted for his service and commitment to the program and his contributions to the legacy of Harvard hockey. We know that he will remain connected, and we look forward to seeing his future impact on the sport of hockey."
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The 2025-26 season marked Donato's 22nd season at the helm of the Crimson. The Dedham, Mass., native became the winningest coach in program history early on this past season with his 325th career win, a 7-3 result over Brown on Dec. 6. He's one of only three coaches to reach the 300-win mark with the program.
Donato amassed a 334-292-77 record with the Crimson, including eight NCAA tournament berths and one Frozen Four appearance. He guided Harvard to four Ivy League titles, four ECAC titles and six 20-win seasons.
He also helped deliver the Crimson's first Beanpot title in 24 years with a 6-3 win over Boston University in 2017 for the program's 11th title. That season, Donato was a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as the top coach in the nation.
Donato coached 18 All-Americans at Harvard, as well as over 20 players who would go on to play in the NHL, including Adam Fox, Colin Blackwell, Alex Killorn, Alex Kerfoot, John Marino, Matt Coronato, Alex Lafarriere, Sean Farrell, Henry Thrun, Jimmy Vesey and his son, Ryan Donato. Vesey won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top player in 2016. Donato also served as an assistant coach with the gold-medal winning Team USA squad at the 2021 World Juniors.
"I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such talented and driven student-athletes and staff of the highest character," Donato said. "With the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, I believe it is the right time to pass the torch to the next leader of the Harvard men's hockey program."
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As a player, Donato was the all-time leading goal-scorer at Catholic Memorial before a decorated career at Harvard. He helped lead Harvard to a national championship in 1989, earning Most Outstanding Player in the Frozen Four, scoring twice in the national title game. Donato captained the Crimson as a senior, and his career included All-ECAC and All-Ivy nods. He's among the program's all-time leading scorers with 144 points.
Donato also enjoyed a 13-year career in the NHL, posting 347 points in 796 regular-season games between the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. He also tied for the team lead in scoring for Team USA at the 1992 Olympics.
Donato was inducted into the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.
