Page 33 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 67

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #67 June 2018 33

presents Then and Now:

Cornwall Colts Edition… Kacey MacDonell

By Carrie Seguin like a family, supporting each other
every step of the way. When I think

“He didn’t like the limelight. He of my time with the Colts, I think
just had a great love of the game.” of the friendship and camaraderie
of the players, and the dedication of
These are the words Mike Ruest, the coaching staff.”
former coach of the Junior A
Cornwall Colts, uses to describe MacDonell attributes much of his
past player, Kacey MacDonell. success as a small-business owner to
his time playing junior hockey. “In
MacDonnell played for the Colts hockey, you learn that dedication, MacDonell, born
in the late 90”s. During the 97-98 loyalty, and being a team player is an in 1979, played
defence.
His
season, MacDonell played 55 games,
important part of playing on a team. father coached
earning 32 points, 27 of which were And, you quickly learn that hard him during his
for assists. Additionally, he logged days in the
work is always needed to succeed.
121 minutes in penalties. Giving up is never an option, and not Char-Lan Minor
league.
“He was a very well respected having a positive outlook doesn’t Hockey Photo Submitted
defenceman,” states Ruest.
work either. I wouldn’t be where I
“As a player,” says MacDonell, am today if I hadn’t taken and used
“I was passionate about my job as what I’ve learned from my years of
a defenceman. I played a tough and playing junior hockey.”
intimidating style. I was a defensive
Today, MacDonell’s love for the
defenceman and I could be a force game of hockey still finds its way
and a leader. I took on the role of into his life. “I do love sharing my
assistant captain fearlessly and with
knowledge and love for hockey with
pride. I fulfilled any role given to my family, and I enjoy teaching my
me and put my heart and soul into
daughter, nieces, and nephews about
all I did as a player and team mate.” the game. I do continue to play pick-

So much so, that following his up hockey, but I really miss the
Junior B career with the Char-Lan intensity of competition. It’s just
Rebels, MacDonell was drafted by not the same without it,” MacDonell
the Detroit Whalers in Round 18 of explains.
the 1996 OHL draft. MacDonell Not all is lost, however.
didn’t stay with the Whalers,
MacDonell is grateful for the time
however. he spent playing junior hockey – for
“The timing just wasn’t right,” the relationships with his teammates
states MacDonell’s mom, who and coaches, for the opportunity to
explains that he was dealing with learn more about the game he loves,
the death of a close friend at the and for those valuable life lessons
time that he was drafted. learned from the many influential
Having given up his spot with the people he met while playing. He
Detroit Whalers, MacDonell found explains that he enjoys passing on Kacey MacDonell (pictured with his wife, Kelly, his daughter, Khiya, and
his way to the Cornwall Colts. and watching his daughter apply his dog Flynn) is originally from the Williamstown area. He played for the
Photo Submitted
those important life lessons to her Cornwall Colts during the 1997-98 season.
“Playing for the Cornwall Colts own life and the sports that she
was a great time in my life. The Spending time as part of a team has with determination, good things
plays. taught me about respecting others happen. Now look - I am a father, a
bonds I made with the guys I played
with are immeasurable. We were “That time (playing) is what and myself. It taught me patience husband, and I own a business. Life
made me a better person all around. and perseverance. It taught me that has been good!”