The Belleville Senators are proud to announce that defenceman Jorian Donovan has been selected as the team’s IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the community during the 2025-26 season.
The AHL Man of the Year award recognizes players who have demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and charitable involvement, making a positive impact both on and off the ice.
Since arriving in Belleville, Donovan has quickly established himself as a dedicated and enthusiastic presence in the community. Donovan sets an example for our group as a regular participant in team-led community appearances and has consistently gone above and beyond to connect with fans and give back.
This season specifically, Donovan has shown a genuine passion for engaging with young fans through school visits, minor hockey practices, and in-game activations, always taking extra time to speak with students and budding players and share his experiences both in hockey and in life.
Also a regular participant in the club’s media outreach programs, Jorian’s approachable nature and willingness to make meaningful connections have made him a favourite among fans and community partners alike.
Donovan’s on-ice contributions were also rewarded with his first recalls to the Ottawa Senators and first two National Hockey League games this season.
“He’s always volunteering first in line to go (participate in the community), and you see the way he interacts with kids in warm-up, or around the rink, or in the community,” said Belleville Sens Interim Head Coach Andrew Campbell, who also coached Donovan in the Ontario Hockey League. “He’s got a great personality, and he’s a high character kid.”
“You can see how much Jorian enjoys giving back,” said Belleville Senators Vice President of Business Operations John Mathers. “He brings great energy to every appearance and makes people feel valued. That kind of authenticity is what this award is all about, and what makes him connect so well with fans right across 613 Country.”
Originally selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Calgary, Alberta native continues to develop both as a player and as a leader within the organization.
As the Belleville Senators’ nominee, Donovan is now one of 32 finalists for the AHL’s 2025-26 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award, honouring the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia.
The winner of the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award will be announced by the American Hockey League in the coming weeks.
