Early Life and Beginnings
Lanny McDonald was born on February 16, 1953, in Hanna, Alberta, a small town with a population of less than 3,000, located a little over two hours northeast of Calgary. Growing up in this tight-knit community, McDonald developed a passion for hockey that would define his life. His talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs as their fourth overall pick in the 1973 Amateur Draft. This marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would see him become one of the most revered players in NHL history.
Rise to Stardom with the Maple Leafs
During his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, McDonald quickly established himself as a formidable goal scorer. He achieved the status of a three-time 40-goal scorer and surpassed the 90-point mark in two separate seasons. His impressive performance on the ice made him a fan favorite and a critical component of the team’s offense. However, his time with the Maple Leafs was not to last. In late 1979, Toronto traded McDonald to the Colorado Rockies, where he would play parts of three seasons before being traded again to the Calgary Flames on November 25, 1982, for Don Lever and Bob MacMillan. Interestingly, McDonald’s last game with the Rockies was against the Flames on November 24, 1981, and he made his Flames debut just two nights later, on November 26, 1981. Though he didn’t score any points in his first two games, he was plus-3 in a 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
Dominant Goal-Scoring Seasons in Calgary
Joining the Flames, McDonald immediately made an impact. Despite going scoreless in his first two games, he went on to score 34 goals and 33 assists for 67 points in 55 games, becoming the team’s leading goal scorer while tying for fourth in points with Jim Peplinski. The 1982-83 season, however, was the pinnacle of McDonald’s career. He scored an astounding 66 goals, which, at the time, made him the eighth player to achieve this feat in a single season. He finished the season with 98 points, just two shy of the 100-point milestone. McDonald’s 66-goal campaign remains one of the best goal-scoring performances in NHL history and is a record that may never be broken in Flames history. His performance in 1982-83 also earned him the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, recognizing his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
Continued Success and Stanley Cup Victory
Following his outstanding 1982-83 season, McDonald continued to be a cornerstone of the Flames’ lineup. In 1983-84, despite missing a significant amount of time due to injuries, he still managed to score 19 goals and 37 points in 43 games. In 1984-85, fully healthy, McDonald played a full 80-game season, finishing with 28 goals and 71 points. This would be the last time he would score more than 67 points in a season. From 1986 to 1989, McDonald played in 169 games, scoring 35 goals and 32 assists for 67 points. During this period, he achieved several milestones, including playing in the 1986 Stanley Cup Final, where the Flames were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens in six games. However, fate would have it that the Flames and Canadiens met again in the 1989 Finals. In a pivotal Game 6, McDonald scored a critical second-period goal, his first of the playoffs, giving the Flames a 2-1 lead. The Flames held on to win 4-2, and McDonald became the only Calgary captain to hoist the Stanley Cup at the Montreal Forum on May 25, 1989. This victory cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in Flames history.
Legacy and Post-Retirement
Lanny McDonald retired from professional hockey at the age of 35, immediately after winning the Stanley Cup. His career with the Flames was marked by numerous accolades, including the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1987-88 and Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1982-83, as well as appearances in the 1983 and 1984 All-Star Games. In Flames history, McDonald ranks sixth in goals (215), 28th in assists (191), and 19th in points (406). His No. 9 jersey was retired by the Flames on March 17, 1990, making him the first player to receive this honor from the team. Three years after his retirement, McDonald was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, further solidifying his place in hockey history. He has also been inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and the Canada Sports Hall of Fame and has received the Order of Sport and Order of Hockey in Canada.
Community Involvement and Continued Impact
Beyond his on-ice achievements, McDonald has been a dedicated community ambassador for the Calgary Flames for over three decades. Even after a heart attack in early 2024, he continues to attend and participate in community events, representing the Flames and giving back to the community that has supported him for so many years. His iconic bushy mustache and warm personality have made him one of the most respected and generous people in Calgary. McDonald’s legacy extends far beyond the ice, as he has built an unmatched reputation for his contributions to the Special Olympics and other charitable causes. Over 40 years since his arrival in Calgary, Lanny McDonald remains a beloved figure, remembered not only for his incredible goal-scoring ability but also for his unwavering commitment to the community.
