SPITFIRE SPOTLIGHT with Max Donoso
Max Donoso joined the Windsor Spitfires as a result of being claimed off Ontario Hockey League waivers from the Ottawa 67s on January 8. Interestingly enough, the 20-year-old Windsor native became available after the 67s acquired centre Jacob Maillet from the Spits, giving them four overage (last season) players, one over the league limit. Donoso, who was Ottawa’s fifth round pick, 98th overall, in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, was in his third season with the junior hockey team in Canada’s capital city when he found out that he would be finishing his OHL career in his hometown.
Donoso spoke with In Play’s OHL Editor, John Humphrey, after picking up his first win as a Spitfire after Windsor’s 8-2 win over the Peterborough Petes on January 27 at the WFCU Centre.
In Play! Magazine: Where were you when you found out that the Spitfires had claimed you off of waivers?
Max Donoso: I was actually just waking up. It was a Monday and those were usually our off-days in Ottawa and I liked to sleep-in and catch up on some sleep after the games on the weekend.
It was about 9:30 am and when I woke up I noticed that I had a couple of missed calls from my agent and a couple of texts from my dad. I ended up calling ( 67s general manager) James Boyd and he told me that I had been picked up by Windsor.
In Play! Magazine: With the 67s having two number one goaltenders this season in yourself and Collin MacKenzie, was it in the back of your mind that one of you two could be moved out?
Max Donoso: At the end of last season, I thought that one of use might get traded before the start of this season, but once this season started and with the team doing well, I really didn’t think about it again.
In Play! Magazine: Where did you play your minor hockey?
Max Donoso: I played Windsor Minor Hockey Association (WMHA) for my Minor and Major Bantam seasons and my Minor Midget season too. I played Windsor AA in my Pee Wee years.
In Play! Magazine: During your two plus seasons with the 67s, you only played the Spitfires twice a season, including once a season at the WFCU Centre. Do you have any special memories from when you played your hometown OHL team in Windsor?
Max Donoso: My biggest memory comes from last season and it was on December 8, as I had that date circled on my calendar since the beginning of the season. We played OK but ended up losing the game 5-3. While it was great to play in front of so many friends and family members, it would have been better if we had picked up the win.
Editor’s note: One of the Spits goal-scorers in their 5-3 win over the 67s on December 8, 2022 was Maillet, who was traded to the 67’s earlier this month, necessitating Donoso being put on waivers by the 67s and being claimed by the Spitfires.
In Play! Magazine: Describe your style of play.
Max Donoso: I’m a good first-shot goaltender and I like to smother the puck and not give up any rebounds if I can. I think I read the play very well and sometimes play the puck as much as I can and get it up to our defenders, especially when guys are coming back to set up the offence.
When I’m playing, I think I am very calm out there and do not over-react.
In Play! Magazine: You have four assists so far during your OHL career, including one as a member of the Spitfires. Do you try to to get involved with your team scoring goals?
Max Donoso: No, not really. If I have a chance to move the puck out of our zone quickly and maybe catch the other team on a change, I will do that. But I’ve also been burned a few times when the other team picked off a pass from me and walked in and scored.
In Play Magazine: How did you pick up your assist as a Spitfire?
Max Donoso: It was during our last game in Saginaw ( a 5-4 loss on January 25). A Spirit player shot the puck in our zone and I stopped it with my glove and stick and left the puck for Ryan Abraham. He passed it to Cole Davis who went end-to-end and scored.
I really did not do much to pick up the assist and it was one of the easier ones that I’ve had, for sure
In Play! Magazine: Talk about the relationship that you are developing with your new goaltending partner, Joey Costanzo, with the Spitfires
Max Donoso: In Ottawa, I had a really good friendship with Collin MacKenzie and it’s heading that way with Joey here too. We’re very supportive of each other both on and off the ice and during both practices and games.
It is important to be there for your teammates both when they’ve made a good play and when they’ve made a bad play you have to help them shake it off too.