Former Penguins Great Lowell MacDonald Passes Away

I was saddened to learn that former Penguins star Lowell MacDonald passed away on December 28 at the age of 84. In his honor, I’m posting a feature about Lowell from my book, 100 Things Penguins Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.

############

When Lowell MacDonald was awarded the Masterton Trophy in 1973, it was a case of quiet vindication for a player who had scaled some huge hurdles in order to pursue his hockey dreams. Indeed, the trophy seemed to have been created with MacDonald in mind. Few players in the history of the game have displayed more perseverance and dedication on the road to stardom.

Following a promising junior career that culminated in a Memorial Cup triumph for his Hamilton Red Wings, MacDonald began his pro career with Detroit. Although undeniably talented, the youngster had a difficult time cracking the Red Wings’ experienced lineup. He enjoyed greater success with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Pittsburgh Hornets. In three seasons with the minor-league club Lowell scored 77 goals, including 31 during the 1963-64 campaign.

MacDonald finally became a full-time player in the NHL in 1967 when he was drafted by Los Angeles. He enjoyed a strong first season with the Kings, notching 21 goals. Although his production dipped the following year, MacDonald had established himself as a solid big-league performer.

There was, however, a downside to playing in Los Angeles. MacDonald hated flying.

“I had a major fear of flying; I was in really bad shape,” he confessed. “My two years in Los Angeles really took its toll. We flew over 100,000 miles a year.”

Preparing to leave training camp in 1969, MacDonald narrowly missed boarding a plane that was hijacked to Cuba. It was the last straw. At 28 years of age, Lowell decided to retire rather than endure the agony of flying.

Taking a year off to earn his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, MacDonald played a handful of home games for the Kings’ minor-league affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The following summer MacDonald was contacted by Penguins general manager Red Kelly, his former Kings coach, about playing for the Penguins.

“He called me,” MacDonald said. “He said they flew only 30,000 to 35,000 miles a year in Pittsburgh. I said I’d come if he wanted me. So Pittsburgh picked me up from Los Angeles in the 1970 Intra-League Draft.”

Unfortunately, MacDonald injured his troublesome left knee in training camp. After skating a shift here and there, he submitted to season-ending surgery. The operation was performed by the Penguins’ team physician, Dr. Charles Stone. MacDonald would credit Stone for saving his career.

For two years MacDonald stayed away from the game. He began to think his career was over until his wife, Joyce, encouraged him to give hockey one more try. Whipping himself into peak condition, he won a spot on the Penguins roster in 1972.

Acting on a hunch, Kelly placed the 31-year-old veteran on a line with rising stars Syl Apps and Al McDonough. Playing the off wing, MacDonald responded with a huge season. He racked up 34 goals and 41 assists while leading the team with a sparkling plus-37.

Those who doubted whether MacDonald could repeat his Lazarus-like performance were in for a surprise. In 1973-74 he enjoyed the finest season of his career. Skating on the explosive “Century Line” with Apps and Jean Pronovost, No. 18 tallied a club-record 43 goals and 82 points to garner his second straight West Division All-Star berth.

“Lowell was something, considering he couldn’t see twenty feet in front of him,” Apps said. “Yet he could find the corner of the nets with his shot.”

Due in part to a more balanced attack, the veteran winger dipped to 27 goals in ’74-75. He returned to 30-goal form the following season.

Unfortunately, the injury bugaboo resurfaced late in MacDonald’s career. After sitting out virtually all of the ’76-77 campaign, this time due to a shoulder injury, the classy old pro was limited to 19 games in ’77-78. At 37 years of age, MacDonald decided it was time to hang up his skates.

Lowell retired as the third-leading goal scorer in team history behind his linemates Apps and Pronovost with 140 tallies. It was a remarkable achievement given his relatively brief career.

During the summer of 2010, he earned honorable mention in the voting for the Penguins All-Time Team.