New coach, new program

Times Reporter 

 

Dan MacDonald has been appointed as the new head coach of the AAA Midget UFA Bisons. A previous scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning and head coach of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, MacDonald is not only excited to be joining a competitive hockey team, but a program that is now combining the Bisons with Strathmore High School to study and to train.

“It’s a really unique experience for the players,” MacDonald said. “It’s going to be way better situation for them because they won’t have to travel so much, we can spend more time together, and they can gain from the school experience so they can feel part of the school as a group.”

Strathmore High’s Associate Principal Doug Raycroft agrees, that the school experience will present leadership opportunities, ability to share resources, and take their student athletes to another level. “I think it really goes well with what we try to do,” said Raycroft. We’re all about trying to help our students to be successful, in every way—athletics and academics.”

Raycroft was unaware of any other AAA Midget teams that offer a similar program, a large advantage to the Bisons, but did say some parents could have some concerns. What would happen at the end of the season, when the student wants to return to their hometown school?

“We’re small enough that we know everyone, but we’re big enough that we offer a full gamut of options and core classes and AP classes,” Raycroft said. “So for us to transition or communicate with the school they’re going back to, and making an easy transition, it shouldn’t be an issue at all.”

Dan MacDonald himself was a teacher at Red Deer College (leading the school’s hockey team for three years), and also coached the city’s AAA Midget team for five years. 

“In those five years we did really well, we went to four national championships,” MacDonald said. “So I certainly know the needs of the players, and what they need to work on, and how to work with that group. That’s what I bring. That’s why they asked me to do it.”

Among his many accolades, MacDonald was named Alberta Junior Hockey Coach of the Year in 2008, and Alberta Major Midget Hockey League Coach of the Year in 1995. He hopes to win a league championship in the AMHL, then possibly move onto the Pacific Championship and Nationals (which he’s made it to – twice). 

MacDonald knows he can lead some Bison players to the AJHL, where he once coached for the Olds Grizzlies and Okotoks Oilers.

“That’s what the kids want to get to,” he said. “You still have to play as a team –there’s not doubt about those things – but ultimately we’re trying to push on as many players as we can to reach the highest heights they can reach as hockey players. That’s what the first goal is – development. Second goal would be, we want to see them succeed in their academics, and that’s where the school partnership comes in. The third goal is to win a championship. I think you always play to win.”