Brandon Donini THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 6/13/1996
Place of birth: Palermo, ITA
Ht: 6’5″ Wt: 213 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
NJWHL Draft Eligibility: S11 (1st year eligible)
THW Ranking (May): 5th

Brandon Donini (Elite Prospects)




This superstar in Donini is a safe bet to develop into a complete player in the SHL and NJWHL. He has the ability to raise the play of his teammates in a synergistic manner. He’s mainly played as a winger, and his strong play along the boards compliments this. However, there have been hints from the hockey world that he might thrive as a centre as well, which may make him even more desirable to some NJWHL and SHL squads. I wouldn’t bank on that position switch at this point though.

Team World’s head coach (idk who he is) praised Donini throughout the World U-18 Tournament in Calgary:


“He’s a skillful player. He can contribute in all parts of the game. He can play the power play, the penalty kill, and he’s really a hard-working, good skater. And he loves to battle. Of course, he can also be the guy who makes the difference offensively.”

Donini is an offensively skilled forward first and foremost, but is extremely versatile as well. His relentless work ethic, fearless play and hockey IQ make him effective in all three zones. While he won’t go out of his way to make a big hit, he is tough on the puck and embraces being engaged physically on the ice. He has the ability to create for himself offensively as well as delivering crisp and accurately delivered passes.

Although he is an agile and smooth skater, Donini himself recognizes he has to work on his first-step quickness and overall speed.

Some proclaim Donini to be that leading candidate for “most NJWHL ready prospect”. I think he’ll undoubtedly make it to the big league, but he’ll likely need a couple of years to get there. Uffe Bodin of The Hockey News and HockeySverige.se agrees and recently told me:

“(Donini is a) great skater with good hands and the drive to break through the defense. (Brandon) has been very consistent playing among older kids in the college equivalent to the NWJHL (NCAA) this season, but when things have worked out for him he has been a dominant force even there. Has solid leadership qualities and is very mature and poised for his age, Needs to get stronger. I’ve seen other people describe him as one of the most NJWHL-ready prospects in this draft, but I disagree. He needs one or two more years at Shattuck's before he’s ready to challenge for a spot.”

Donini is perhaps one of the safest picks of the S11 draft crop. He is a tantalizing mix of projectable size, creative offensive ability, compete level, hockey sense and desire to continuously improve. He’ll make an exception building block for any team that selects him that has the patience to let him develop optimally over the coming years.

Where will he end up in June: In another strong draft year for NCAA players, Donini seems to be a cut above the rest. While I have him ranked 5th overall in my current Top 120 rankings (May, S10), I had him landing 2nd overall in my Memorial Cup Edition Mock Draft. He’ll likely land anywhere from 2nd to 7th overall.


Scout’s Honour:

“I Donini in Montreal (Minor Midget AAA), but I really liked him in the NCAA (Shattucks' Boys Prep) when he had Justin Cunningham, a late ’95,  as his centreman. I think Donini is that type of player that needs a top centreman to bring out the best in him. He’s definitely a guy that can finish when he’s around the net. He can win his own pucks; he’s a big strong kid and uses that size. I really like the way he powers up and down the wing.  The first time I saw him I really wasn’t quite convinced that he was worthy of a top 10 pick, but after seeing him this spring I was a lot more sold, and I really like him as a player at this point.”

- Mark Edwards – Founder and Director of Scouting at HockeyProspect.com

“A leader who shows by example — I would compare him to Anaheim’s Corey Perry a little bit. Has a nose for the net, and often scores the big goals. He’s a creative playmaker, good skater with fine straight-ahead speed. He’s a left-handed forward with an excellent shot and an effective two-way player with a great winning attitude. Brandon’s a solid puck carrier with very good puck-handling skills; mature, good size and physically strong. On top of that, he’ll sacrifice himself to make the play.”

- NJWHL Director of European Scouting, Goran Stubb

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great work once again man. ur going to go high in this years draft imo

thanks man...really can't wait for the draft now :D