Sidney Crosby is honoring the memory of Lowell MacDonald, a former NHL player from Nova Scotia who passed away on Sunday, describing him as a significant influence on his own hockey career. In a media session following practice, Crosby emphasized the impact of MacDonald by acknowledging the scarcity of hockey talent emerging from Nova Scotia.
“You knew the history, you knew who those guys were, you looked up to those guys. The fact that there was a Pittsburgh connection there [with MacDonald] was obviously pretty special,” Crosby reflected. This connection is particularly meaningful as Crosby himself hails from Cole Harbour, N.S., illustrating the importance of regional heroes in the development of young athletes.
Lowell MacDonald, who was 84 at the time of his death, enjoyed a distinguished NHL career, playing nearly 15 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Renowned as a two-time NHL All-Star, MacDonald scored 180 goals and accumulated 390 points throughout his career. He completed his time in the league during the 1977-78 season.
Born in Thorburn, N.S., MacDonald always maintained a strong connection with his home province, often returning with his wife, Joyce Smith MacDonald, for extended visits. Their residence in Little Harbour reflected the warmth and ties they had to their roots. MacDonald was also a passionate golfer, frequently spotted on the greens at Abercrombie Golf and Country Club.
While excelling on the ice, MacDonald was equally committed to education, attending college for 14 summers during his playing days and earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After his retirement from professional hockey, he dedicated almost two decades to education as a teacher, hockey coach, and athletic director at the University School of Milwaukee.
In recognition of his contributions to sports in Nova Scotia, MacDonald was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1982. The hall’s president, Bruce Rainnie, spoke highly of MacDonald, recalling their positive encounters. Rainnie acknowledged the challenges MacDonald faced, particularly knee injuries, which impacted his career. However, MacDonald’s dedication shone through when he made a remarkable comeback, scoring 75 points in a season and earning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance.
Rainnie concluded that MacDonald’s legacy serves as an inspiring example for aspiring athletes, demonstrating that success can be achieved through passion, hard work, and determination. A celebration of MacDonald’s life is scheduled to take place in Little Harbour this summer, allowing friends and family, as well as community members, to pay their respects to a remarkable individual and athlete.