Sidney Crosby paid tribute to Lowell MacDonald, a former NHL player from Nova Scotia who passed away recently, describing him as a significant influence on his own career. Crosby, a native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, expressed admiration for MacDonald, highlighting the rarity of players hailing from their province and the special connection he felt with MacDonald due to their shared Pittsburgh ties.
MacDonald, who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins during his almost 15-year NHL career, passed away at the age of 84. Born in Thorburn, Nova Scotia, MacDonald always considered the province his home. He and his wife, Joyce Smith MacDonald, regularly returned to Nova Scotia to visit family, residing in Little Harbour. An enthusiastic golfer, MacDonald spent many hours on the greens at the Abercrombie Golf and Country Club.
Throughout his NHL tenure, MacDonald amassed 180 goals and 390 points in 506 games before retiring after the 1977-78 season. Crosby praised MacDonald’s contributions to the sport and acknowledged him as a proud Nova Scotian who paved the way for aspiring players like himself.
Apart from his achievements on the ice, MacDonald prioritized education, pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees during his summers as an active NHL player. Following his hockey career, he transitioned into teaching, coaching, and serving as an athletic director at the University School of Milwaukee for nearly 20 years. In recognition of his accomplishments, MacDonald was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1982.
Bruce Rainnie, president of the hall of fame, highlighted MacDonald’s resilience in the face of knee injuries, noting his remarkable comeback after missing the 1971-72 season. MacDonald’s impressive performance in the subsequent season earned him the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy for his perseverance and dedication to the sport. Rainnie emphasized MacDonald’s impact on the hockey community and underscored the significance of his inclusion in the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame as a testament to the potential for success regardless of one’s origins.
A celebration of MacDonald’s life is scheduled to take place in Little Harbour later this summer, honoring his legacy and contributions to hockey and education.
