Local hockey legend Ab McDonald honoured

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This article was published 09/12/2022 (1053 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame president Don Kuryk welcomed hundreds Friday afternoon to the new Ab McDonald Arena, honouring the life and career of the late local hockey legend.

“If you knew Ab McDonald, you would understand,” Kuryk said. “His skill and playing the sport broke standard, his achievements in a community, just outstanding.”

The City of Winnipeg and True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd. unveiled several displays, including an installation featuring photos and stories about Alvin Brian McDonald’s career and two murals. (The murals were designed by Marc Gomez and will be featured in the recently upgraded St. James Civic Centre.)

Nearly 30 people sent letters in support of Kuryk’s vision of honouring McDonald, who died in September 2018 at age 82.

“I received the support… but they all came in flying colours,” Kuryk said. “It was my pleasure and my honour to do this.

“I hope that that’s what kids coming through here will learn about, not just the Stanley Cups he won, and captain’s and first goal, but the humility that he conducted himself with,” said Winnipeg Jets co-owner and TNSE chairman Mark Chipman. “I think he kind of personified the values of our city.”

The Winnipeg-born McDonald had a healthy career. He skated in 14 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion (1958-61).

“We’re all thrilled, honoured and humbled that Ab was honoured in this way,” said wife Patricia McDonald.

McDonald was about to retire from hockey when he got the call to be the first captain of his hometown team: the Jets, she said.

He scored the World Hockey Association franchise’s first goal the same night his daughter, Kristina, was born. He would play two seasons, scoring 70 points in 147 WHA games.

Family members spoke about his love for the game and the community.

“What a beautiful tribute,” niece Karen Schultz said. “It seems everyone in this room would feel no different than me whether you’re related or not, because Ab always made you family.”

She recalled her uncle as being the family’s biggest cheerleader, attending all his grandchildren’s hockey games.

“If he didn’t have skates on, he was in every arena watching his grandkids,” Schultz said. “He’ll never say, hey, you did this or that wrong, but he taught you in such a special way.

While not surprised by the overwhelming turnout Friday, Chipman, Kuryk and Patricia McDonald reflected on what they believed McDonald’s reaction would be if he was alive to see the displays.

“It would be very few words and an enormous smile… He had this truly, like magnanimous smile and presence,” Chipman said. “He would just be flabbergasted.”

Patricia McDonald agreed: “He would just sit here with a big smile on his face, not saying anything but bursting on the inside.”

Mayor Scott Gillingham had pushed to honour MacDonald, during his time as St. James city councillor. Friday made it worth it, he said.

“Renaming this arena is a fitting honour for someone who represented this city with great class throughout the hockey world, and these displays will share his story with future generations of players,” the mayor said.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca