Lowell MacDonald

Last updated
Lowell MacDonald
Lowell MacDonald.jpg
MacDonald with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1970s
Born (1941-08-30) August 30, 1941 (age 84)
Thorburn, Nova Scotia, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Right
Played for Detroit Red Wings
Los Angeles Kings
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 19621978

Lowell Wilson MacDonald (born August 30, 1941) is a Canadian former professional National Hockey League winger who played during the 1960s and 1970s.

Contents

Career

MacDonald broke into the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings after being promoted from the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets. He spent parts of three seasons in the Los Angeles Kings organization but sat out most of the 1970 campaign to work on his college degree. That summer, his former coach with the Kings, Red Kelly, had been hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins and selected MacDonald In the intra-league draft. He played just 10 games for Pittsburgh before an old knee injury flared up and forced him to consider retirement. After sitting out all of the 1971–72 season, his wife, Joyce, cajoled Lowell into attempting a comeback. [1] MacDonald made the Penguins out of training camp and went on to set new career records for goals and points. His stunning return earned MacDonald the 1973 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. [2]

In 1973, MacDonald was placed on Pittsburgh's top line alongside Syl Apps Jr. and Jean Pronovost. The 'Century Line', as they would come to be known, would be the driving force for the Penguins for three seasons with MacDonald leading the team in goals in 1974. Unfortunately, his time as a star was cut short when he suffered a seventh knee injury that ended his 1977 season after just 3 games. He returned the following year for a brief stint but ended up retiring before the end of the campaign. In 506 NHL games, MacDonald recorded 180 goals, 210 assists, 390 points, and only 92 penalty minutes.

After hanging up his skates, MacDonald became the head coach at the University School of Milwaukee, a prep school in Wisconsin. Over his 18 years with the school, MacDonald compiled a 263-180-17 record and was later inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame. [3]

Personal

Two of Lowell's sons had careers involved with ice hockey. Lane had an outstanding college career that saw him win both the NCAA Championship and Hobey Baker Award while at Harvard. Unfortunately, persistent migraines forced Lane to retire in 1991.

Career statistics

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1959–60 Hamilton Tiger Cubs OHA-Jr. 481719367
1960–61 Hamilton Red Wings OHA-Jr.48262854151169154
1961–62 Hamilton Red WingsOHA-Jr.50463985101075128
1961–62 Hamilton Red Wings M-Cup 141772414
1961–62 Detroit Red Wings NHL 10002
1962–63 Detroit Red WingsNHL26213810002
1962–63 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 412019394
1963–64 Detroit Red WingsNHL101450
1963–64 Pittsburgh HornetsAHL59312960653142
1964–65 Detroit Red WingsNHL92130
1964–65 Pittsburgh HornetsAHL591620361020000
1965–66 Rochester Americans AHL10000
1965–66 Tulsa Oilers CPHL 573325584115490
1966–67 Tulsa OilersCPHL331417318
1967–68 Los Angeles Kings NHL742124451273472
1968–69 Los Angeles KingsNHL581414281072350
1968–69 Springfield Kings AHL969150
1969–70 Springfield KingsAHL14437030000
1970–71 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL100110
1972–73 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL783441758
1973–74 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL7843398214
1974–75 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL712733602494264
1975–76 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL693043731231010
1976–77 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL3112031234
1977–78 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL1958132
NHL totals506180210390923011112212

Awards

Transactions

References

  1. "Who wore it best: No. 18, Lowell MacDonald". DK Pittsburgh Sports. July 12, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  2. Dinger, Ralph (1932). National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book (2004 ed.). Toronto: Dan Diamond. ISBN   0-920445-84-5.{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  3. "WHCA HALL OF FAME". Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved November 14, 2023.