Page 5 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 42

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Continued from page 1 Rexall Place last month, MacDonald
live on television). That was quite said it was a great honour to be
something. It was unique to sit there involved. It allowed him the chance
and close it when I was part of the to meet with some old friends he had
group that opened it up. I was the not seen in quite some time.

guy who scored the first NHL goal “It was a fabulous night. It was
in Northlands Coliseum (the original really well done. It was organized
name of Rexall Place). We’re sitting
very well but I don’t think they
there in the back rooms after the expected that many guys would
current Oilers played that afternoon
come back. All the big boys were
game (a 6-4 win over Vancouver). back, Gretz, Mess, Jari Kurri, Glenn
An hour after the game we go onto Anderson. It was a lot of fun to see
the ice and there’s still a capacity
all of the old faces. Val Fonteyne
crowd in the seats. Earlier in the was my first roommate in the WHA.

day we visited city hall and there
I was 19 and he was 40 back then.
was over 5000 people there. It was He was one of the first ones I saw (at

incredible.”
the closing ceremony). He’s in his
MacDonald was a leader, the 80s and he still looks great.”
captain in fact, of the Oilers when they In 219 NHL games MacDonald
joined the NHL as part of a merger
scored 91 goals and 191 points. He
with the World Hockey Association Former Edmonton Oiler’s captain Blair MacDonald, a Green Valley had 336 points in 476 WHA games.
in 1979/80. He found himself on a native, is interviewed by Roger’s Sportsnet personality John Shannon After retiring as a player he took on
squad of talented and young future during the closing ceremonies at Rexall Place in Edmonton on April a position with Central Scouting. He

Hall of Famers, that first NHL 6. MacDonald was the first player interviewed during the ceremony. was happy to remain involved in the
season. He also found himself on a Photo provided by: Andy Devlin, Oilers Entertainment Group game. He just recently retired from
line with a certain youngster bearing in his own end. He was a good fi rst played when we could and wherever scouting two years ago. During his
the jersey number 99. MacDonald example for us younger guys. For we could.” time assessing talent, he noticed
made an impact on the team right Mark (Messier) and myself, and MacDonald skated for the Quebec some big changes in the way the
away, finishing second behind Wayne Glen (Anderson) later in the year, it Major Junior Hockey League’s game is played today.

Gretzky’s team-leading 147 points was our fi rst years. Guys like Blair, Cornwall Royals for three seasons as
by scoring 46 goals and 94 points of Ron Chipperfi eld, Lee Fogelin, Al a junior from 1970/71 to 1972/73. He “I would travel throughout North
his own. Hamilton, Colin Campbell; we were scored 45 goals and 90 points when America watching kids play. I would
lucky to have such strong leadership. see kids on a three-on-two and they
“My first game was pretty special the Royals won the Memorial Cup in would dump it in for a line change

but I also look back at the 1979/80 I would watch Blair and I would say 1971/72. He followed that up with because they had reached their
that’s what a good pro should be like.
all-star game when Gretz and I were a 102-point season the year after,
I haven’t seen him a lot over the years 25-second shift limit. That drove
selected,” MacDonald recalls. “That so it was good to have a conversation before joining the WHA’s Oilers in me crazy. One thing today’s game

all-star game in Detroit is definitely 1973/74. It’s while in the WHA he
with him.” is missing is the coaches letting the
high up on my list. We tried to have a honed his skills as a leader. He tried players be creative. It wasn’t so

real confidence. We went into every MacDonald grew up playing his to share those attributes when the structured when we played. There’s
game thinking we were going to win minor hockey in Alexandria. If he Oilers joined the NHL in 1979. not enough creativity in the game
it. To make the playoffs in our first couldn’t be found hitching a ride to “I would like to think we set the now. It was a good gig though. I

year, it was pretty impressive.” take part in a game in the local town,
bar for work ethic and how to prepare travelled and I watched kids giving
he and his family members would
Former Edmonton Oilers star for games,” MacDonald says of the their all playing hockey. They
defenceman Kevin Lowe was a rookie likely be skating on the family rink at veterans on the squad. “Those players always gave a good effort.”
the farm owned by Mervyn and Anna

pro during that first NHL season in Margaret MacDonald. were so talented, so young. I tried to As the Oilers look forward to the
Edmonton. Lowe, the current vice- set a standard. It was an honour to 2016 NHL Entry Draft, MacDonald
chairman of Oilers Entertainment “When I look back, it doesn’t feel wear that jersey. It was such a good spoke about the current standing of
Group, spoke about MacDonald’s like it was that long ago,” MacDonald group. We had so much fun. We the team. He was asked if any team
role in the Oilers’ early success. says with a chuckle. “I played minor loved to play so much. After practice could ever rival the team he played
hockey in Alexandria and it was a lot we would bring the nets in and set
“Blair was a great pro and I don’t with.
use that term loosely,” said Lowe. more relaxed back then. I would play them up to play “mini hockey” as we
any game I could. After chores and called it. We would play for another “I don’t know if you will ever see
“He was classy and hard-working and
school work we would play out on the hour or so.” a juggernaut like that again. It looks
a great two-way player. He scored pond until dark. I would hitchhike like (the Oilers) have shored up their
lots of goals, too. He was so reliable As for the closing ceremonies at
to Alexandria to play games. We Continued on page 7

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