Donovan Sebrango (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B+) Defense
Neutral Zone NHL’s comments, April 2020: We really like how his defensive game has evolved and improved. As a young gun who could fly, Donovan defended with his feet. He was able to take chances and recover so quickly that he rarely got beat or looked bad. Things changed during his rookie OHL season. As he was competing against players who were not only bigger and faster, but they were more experienced and very clever. Donovan’s mental game had to evolve to survive and in our opinion he has done more than just survive. This year he was playing top pairing minutes matched up against the other team’s top lines and he looked confident. He made quick decisions with or without the puck and showed great ice awareness in all three zones. Donovan is very calm with the puck and excels at creating passing lanes with his feet. He does not over handle the puck in transition. He has learned to make the simple play and join the attack as a late option rather than turning every shift into a track meet. We feel Donovan can eventually play a top 4 role in the NHL, but right now he is not a top unit power play guy. We do feel his clean first touch and smooth crisp passing will earn him the opportunity to play on a second unit and we also feel that his improved defensive awareness and quick feet will allow him to earn key penalty killing minutes. To be an everyday NHLer Donovan will need to continue gaining upper body strength, but there is no reason to believe this will not happen over the next few seasons. We feel there is a lot to like about the evolution of Donovan’s game and his attention to detail on the defensive side of the puck is most impressive.
Kitchener Rangers NHL Prospects (2/14/20): No change to our ranking with Sebrango in this viewing. He is a solid B to B+ defender with high compete and has fast enough feet to make plays in all zones of the ice. The second year defender continues to show excellent development playing in a top pair role for the Rangers. The Rangers have been one of the hottest team in the OHL since December and Sebrango has been a key in their success. Sebrango’s game is evolving as his decision making improves and his focus on defensive one on one’s improves. He is pushing the pace less frequently and more focused on defense than earlier viewings, but is still not afraid to lead or join the attack. An excellent skater, Sebrango matched up well defensively 5 on 5 vs London’s top line. He managed his gap well and forced turnovers in all zones of the ice. In one of the fastest games viewed this season he showed a presence on most shifts and good decisions with the puck in transition. Game Grade: B Other players evaluated Reid Valade, Ville Ottavainen and Declan McDonnell.
February NHL Draft Rankings, February 2020: Donovan was a ‘B+’ who came in ranked #73. When looking back at the 2018 USHL Phase 1 Draft rankings, Donovan is now ranked higher than all of the defensemen who were ranked higher than him with Ruben Rafkin being the closest at #77.
OHL – Windsor at Kitchener, October 2019: Donovan continues to develop quickly and looks more comfortable every time we watch him play. Donovan leaves little doubt that he is a top pairing defenseman for a Rangers team with multiple NHL draft picks in the defensive core. We recently reviewed Donovan on October 4th versus the Owen Sound Attack where he earned an A- Game Grade. With tonight’s viewing he is showing that he can play at a very high level night in and night out and is earning his high minutes. Donovan continues to show a steady defensive game versus the opposition’s top lines and is beginning to play with a physical presence to his game. He manages pucks very well on the power play by making good crisp passes through the box to set up high quality scoring opportunities. Donovan showed his usual great pace and skating ability with a handful of early rushes and in our opinion set the tone early for the Rangers quick start. Game Grade: A- Other players evaluated Jean-Luc Foudy, Ruben Rafkin, Dylan Robinson, Will Cuylle, Kyle McDonald,
OHL – Owen Sound at Kitchener, October 2019: A second year OHL defender, Donovan has shown rapid development early in his junior career. Donovan is a top 2 defender for the Rangers on a team with multiple NHL draft picks on the blue line. Donovan is a two way threat who logs important minutes for the Rangers – he runs the first power play unit, kills penalties and plays a defensive role vs the opposing team’s top forward units. A player who has developed his decision making significantly since viewings in Minor Midget in 2018. He skates effortlessly and handles the puck with confidence. He is noticeable every shift with the puck and shows good gap control in all 3 zones to win back pucks. He manages pucks well to breakdown the fore-check and can carry the puck out of trouble when need be. Donovan has added size, strength and an edge to his game. He has the timing and instincts to throw hard checks along the boards or in open ice. We view Donovan as a solid NHL prospect who has the potential to play in a top 4 pairing. A player to watch. Game Grade: A-. Other players evaluated Igor Chibrikov and Ville Ottavainen.
After College Commitment Path, Sebrango Chooses Kitchener, July 2018: After the Kitchner Rangers drafted Donovan 40th overall in the OHL Draft and he decided with the help of his Mother that the OHL was the right path for him.
OHL Gold Cup, May 18th 2018: Serbrango is another strong skilled D-man who gets a heavy, accurate shot through from the point. He is always ready to receive the puck and makes a solid first pass out of his own end. Serbrango has a long fluid stride and can take off past opposing forwards when rushing the puck. This was our first viewing of Serbrango playing vs his own age group of 2002 this season and felt he looked very strong. His skating ability is his key attribute.
USHL Phase 1 Draft Grades, May 2018: Summary: Waterloo made some calculated picks. Tender Wyatt Schingoethe is a polished, productive player who thinks the game at a high level and has the tools to play a number of ways. Doyle plays a tough style, goes to the crease and can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. Donovan Sebrango is a BU commit and played at CIHA Academy. Elite athletic ability and projects as a two-way defenseman who can run the power play. Dom Foglia is a Shattuck defenseman with length and mobility on the blue line. Good value in the eighth round as he has lots of upside. Jamie Drysdale is a great pick if he decides on the college/USHL route. He was a dominant player in the 2002 age group in Ontario. Fourth overall pick in the OHL draft and the steal of the USHL draft in round 10 if he reports. Waterloo made some smart, safe, picks of talented players and took some high reward risks as well.
USHL Phase I Draft (2002s), May 2018: At this point Donovan was committed to Boston University and was ranked #43 heading into the USHL Draft. At this point he was the 13th ranked defenseman behind fellow 2020 NHL Draft eligible defenders Anthony Kehrer, Ruben Rafkin, Casey Roepke, Jake Ratzlaff, Brandon Charbrier, Charlie Desroches, Nicholas O’Hanisain, Christian Jimenez,
World Selects Invite (2002), June 2017: A highly mobile, athletic defender who see’s the ice extremely well and makes good outlet passes. He can carry the puck up ice when the lanes aren’t there and made some nice cross crease passes off the rush. Defensively he was smart, crafty and used his footwork to stay tight on opponents.