Sebrango and McDonnell credit Rangers organization with NHL Draft preparation

A pair of Kitchener Rangers products in Donovan Sebrango and Declan McDonnell were proudly picked up at the 2020 NHL Draft.

Selected 63^rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings and 217^th by the Tampa Bay Lightning respectively, both skaters were quick to thank the Rangers organization for equipping them with the tools to make it happen.

Known for his gritty defensive game and impressive skating, Sebrango considers himself “an old school defenceman with a little bit of new school,” pointing out his offensive side as part of a “new era” edge to his game. He can jump in the rush, move pucks quickly and capitalize on offensive chances.

Upon seeing his name on the TV during the latter part of the two-day virtual event – the broadcast had been a bit delayed on his end, and he initially found out he’d been drafted when he received a text from his trainer – he had kind words for the Rangers’ coaching staff for their hand in shaping him into that player.

“The coaching staff have all been through it so they know how it is. My defensive coach Dennis Wideman, he played in the NHL, so he knows how it works,” said the 18-year-old defenceman.

“Right off the bat in my first year, all the coaching staff had faith in me and gave me big minutes in big matchups so I think right off the bat when I first walked in, they gave me the confidence that I needed. Transitioning into my second year, they gave me a good role, good minutes and I think the faith they had in me from day one has helped me become the player I am today.”

Sebrango also singled out his defensive partner Michael Vukojevic, a third round pick of the New Jersey Devils at the 2019 NHL Draft, for helping him prepare over the course of the season.

Donovan Sebrango (@D_sebrango3) credits @OHLRangers assistant coach Dennis Wideman, defensive partner @mikevukojevic and older teammates with helping him prepare for the 2020 #NHLDraft where he was chosen 63rd overall by the @DetroitRedWings.#MeetTheFuture | @KubotaCanadaLtd pic.twitter.com/EsWpeF9L6q

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) November 4, 2020

“He’s been through all the things that I had to go through this year so having conversations with him, he’s kind of a goofier guy, calms the nerves,” he said of his defensive partner. “Talking to older guys too; Liam Hawel, Greg Meireles, Jonathan Yantsis, and another one is Justin McPherson, and getting a feel for things they’ve had to go through and their time here helped me understand that it’s not something to stress too much over; it’s more of an exciting moment and to just go through it and enjoy it as much as possible.”

McDonnell, a Lake View, N.Y. native who made the jump to the OHL after a season with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars, spoke highly of the the league’s help in preparing him for the draft and, eventually, the pro level.

“Just being a professional every day; being on the road, hotel rooms, food, equipment, the skill level, the faster play, being smarter with the puck, improving my skill,” listed McDonnell, who was chosen by the Lightning with the final pick of the NHL Draft.

The 217th and final pick of the 2020 #NHLDraft, @TBLightning prospect Declan McDonnell (@decmac25_) took the opportunity to thank fellow @OHLRangers for their contributions to his 21-goal rookie season.#MeetTheFuture | @KubotaCanadaLtd pic.twitter.com/XwmnXJh2Ps

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) November 7, 2020

The 18-year-old winger credited Sebrango and fellow winger Reid Valade for easing his transition to the league.

“They became my best friends,” he continued. “I feel like we became really close, we hung out a lot and that grew on the ice too. They showed me the ropes, I was a first year player, they were already here so they showed me how to do it and I feel like they contributed a lot.”

The Rangers’ remarkable turnaround season was among the more interesting storylines to come out of the 2019-20 OHL campaign. Sitting in last place last November, a shuffle behind the bench brought general manager Mike McKenzie in as head coach, kickstarting a reset that saw the Rangers slide into the Western Conference’s first place slot less than two months later. The bench boss shuffle came as a wake up call of sorts for Sebrango, who pointed out a shift in his game that came with the team’s upward climb.

“That’s where my game transitioned into more of a 200-foot game, after that little bit of a wake up call,” said the third round Red Wings pick. “Earlier on in the year I was more offensive and didn’t really have too much defensive skill in my toolbox, but I think after that wake up I really rounded my game and now I pride myself on my defensive game.”

McDonnell, too, spoke to an improvement of his own midway through last season.

“I feel like I started slow and towards the end of the season I really picked it up, even midway. I feel like my skills improved, I became more adapted to the OHL game and started playing better, started putting up points.”

The Rangers finished out the season second in the Midwest Division, with McDonnell rounding out his rookie year with an even 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points over 63 appearances and Sebrango earning a 30-point production over his 56-game sophomore stint.

Getting to share this year’s unusual NHL Draft experience with a teammate was helpful, pointed out Sebrango, who expressed how proud he was of the fellow draftee.

“They got a great player in [Declan] and a great guy who puts in 100% effort every day. It’s great to see him go and I think we all had the same feeling going into the day so kind of nice to have a five minute conversation with the same kind of feelings going through. It was great to see him go to Tampa,” he said.

In terms of what it’s going to take to skate at the pro level, Sebrango’s focused on maintaining that gritty defensive style.

“I’d like to say I want to be an offensive guy at the next level but it’s hard to do that so I think it’s just bringing more of my grit and that defensive game into the next level. Maybe the offensive will be there, maybe not it’s hard to tell, but I’ll just play a steady game, a simply game and hopefully Detroit sees that.”

As for McDonnell, he plans on working on all aspects of his game in order to continue to catch the attention of the recent Stanley Cup champions.

“I feel I have to get better at all my skills on the ice and off the ice, getting bigger, stronger, faster and working on my skating. I feel like I can improve everything in my game to help me get to the next step and become part of the Tampa Bay organization.”