SYDNEY, N.S. — Willie MacDonald knows what it’s like to win a championship.
The 25-year-old was part of the Telus Cup-winning Cape Breton West Islanders, who captured Atlantic Canada’s first-ever national midget title in 2017.
MacDonald was recently named the new head coach of the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush and will look to bring his winning experience to the team’s bench this season.
“I’m hoping to bring that winning attitude to the Rush and that belief that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, you can win, and you can be successful,” said MacDonald, who replaces Chris Culligan, now an assistant coach with the Cape Breton Eagles, as the club’s bench boss.
“A person can be successful individually and as a team and that’s the No. 1 thing that I want to bring to the Sydney bench.”
WILLIE MACDONALD
- Hometown: Baddeck, N.S.
- Age: 25
- Position: Head coach of the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush (NSMMHL)
- Playing Career: Cape Breton West Islanders (NSMMHL), Amherst Ramblers (MHL) and Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL)
- Coaching Experience: Held assistant coach positions with Nova (major bantam), Cape Breton West Islanders (NSMMHL) and Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL)
Despite his age, MacDonald has had quite a bit of experience coaching high-level hockey in his young career.
MacDonald, the brother of former professional hockey player Franklin MacDonald, began his coaching career with Nova major bantam team in Antigonish, before joining the Islanders as an assistant coach in 2015.
After spending two years with the Port Hood-based Islanders, MacDonald moved to Pictou County to pursue his Welding Inspection and Quality Control program at the Nova Scotia Community College.
During his time in Pictou County, MacDonald served as an assistant coach with the Weeks Crushers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League under Glace Bay native and head coach Doug Doull.
“If I could picture a head coach it’s Doug,” said MacDonald. “I think I learned a lot in terms of how to deal with certain situations good or bad.
“He has so much experience in the game and knows a lot of people, so I guess his attitude towards everything helped me a lot – I think his work ethic rubbed off on me.”
In his playing days, MacDonald, a defenceman, suited up for the Islanders for two seasons, before being drafted in the second round of the MHL Entry Draft by the Amherst Ramblers in 2011.
He played 126 games with the Ramblers, recording two goals and 41 assists for 43 points, before joining the Weeks Crushers for his final year, posting two goals and 31 points in 47 games.
“He comes as a winner and we want to impose that on our players and we can’t wait to see what he can offer these guys.” — Walter Rutherford, Rush president
Rush president Walter Rutherford is pleased to have MacDonald part of the organization.
“He has a good knowledge of the game and a good background to lead our team and take over from where Ken Tracey and Chris Culligan left off,” said Rutherford.
“He comes as a winner and we want to impose that on our players and we can’t wait to see what he can offer these guys.”
Rutherford said the team conducted four interviews for the coaching position. The interviews were done by Culligan, Scott Gouthro and John Kibyuk, the former assistant coach of the Eagles.
As for MacDonald, he considers himself to be the type of coach players can trust and respect.
“I think for me as a person, I’m a calm individual and I think I’ll bring some stability,” said MacDonald.
The Baddeck native, who prior to accepting the coaching position was considering moving to Western Canada for work, was motivated by the 2021 Telus Cup to apply for the coaching job.
“When you have the chance to be part of any national event, especially in hockey, it’s a special honour,” said MacDonald, who will be joined on the bench by assistant coaches Ryan Sparling and Troy Chiasson.
“It’s an amazing tournament and I know Membertou is going to do an unbelievable job with it.”
Preparation for the 2019-20 season is already underway as the Rush are currently on the ice for tryouts.
“We’re coming along, and we have some guys that are at junior camps, so we’re getting to see a little more of what the other guys can do,” said MacDonald. “I think we’ll have a steady team this year.”
MacDonald will make his regular season head coaching debut on Sept. 14 when the Rush host the Weeks Major Midgets of Pictou County at 5 p.m. at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.
Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy
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