Buffalo Junior Sabres forward Declan McDonnell, during the summer, announced his commitment to Providence College beginning with the 2020-21 academic year. The 16-year-old joined Nicholas Kent as Jr. Sabres players who announced commitments prior to the start of the 2018-19 Ontario Junior Hockey League season.
“Very proud to announce my commitment to play D1 hockey at Providence College. Thank you to the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, my family and coaches!!” announced McDonnell on his official Twitter account.
He later explained his decision in an interview for the Junior Sabres Journal Podcast.
“I love the coaching staff, for sure,” he said. “Coach (Ron) Rolston, (Head) Coach (Nate) Leaman, Coach (Kris) Mayotte, perfect staff. I like the facilities and campus. I like the small tightness of the community and it was awesome.”
McDonnell has been with the broader Buffalo Junior Sabres hockey organization as far back as the 2015-16 season, when he skated with the Bantam Minor squad. He moved up the Bantam Major A team in 2016-17 and the following year was a member of the Jr. Sabres’ 15U team. He scored seven goals and five assists in six games for the Jr. Sabres’ USA Hockey national championship-winning 15-Only team this past April, including what proved to be the game-winning goal in the title game.
