Doug MacDonald

Doug MacDonald has enjoyed a lengthy career in professional hockey, as well as a cup of NHL coffee with the Buffalo Sabres.

Born in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan on February 8, 1969, Doug developed his hockey skills as a teenager in the British Columbia Lower Mainland, playing midget and junior hockey before accepting a scholarship to the famed University of Wisconsin Badgers' hockey program Over his four year career at Wisconsin, Doug was a top player on a team that would sport several future NHLers including Brian Rafalski, Sean Hill, Gary Shuchuk, and Steve Tuttle. Doug's fine play as an amateur convinced the Buffalo Sabres to draft the swift left winger with the 77th overall draft pick back in 1989.

MacDonald didn't make the jump to professional hockey until he completed his degree in 1992. Once he was out of school he reported to the Sabres chief farm club - the Rochester Americans - where he had solid rookie campaign. He scored 25 times and set up 33 others for 58 points in 64 AHL contests.

During that season was also able to fulfill a dream when the Sabres recalled him in February of 1993. He played his first NHL game on February 17, 1993, but was sent back to the minors quickly. Later in the seasons he was recalled again so that the Sabres could get a better look at their emerging prospect at the NHL level, and he made it a favourable impression when he scored his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot on April 10, 1993 against Detroit's Vincent Riendeau.

Unfortunately that would be Doug's career highlight in the NHL. The following season he was returned to Rochester for more seasoning. He scored25 goals in 63 games, and was given a 4 game look-see with the Sabres, but he failed to make an impression. The same thing happened the following season when he scored 21 goals and 46 pints in 58 AHL games, but was not a factor in what proved to be his last two NHL contests.

In 1995-96 Doug began playing for the IHL's Cincinnati Cyclones. He really enjoyed the city and organization as he played parts of 5 seasons there. When his NHL contract with the Sabres expired in 1998, he signed a minor league contract with the Cylcones in order to remain a part of the team and of the city.

Doug did leave Cincinnati by 2000 in order to prolong his hockey career. He headed to Germany where he still plays the game along with several former NHLers such as Sergio Momesso, Dave McLlwain and Corey Millen.