SYDNEY — When Matthew MacDonald requested a trade from the Shawinigan Cataractes earlier this season, he was looking for a change of scenery.
The now Cape Breton Eagles forward had appeared in 42 games with the Cataractes during the 2019-20 season — and says he enjoyed his time in the Quebec city — but with the COVID-19 pandemic, he felt the time was right to be traded.
“I didn’t see my family for about four months,” said MacDonald, a native of Halifax. “It was getting long, we weren’t playing many games at first before the Quebec bubbles started up, and there was a lot of uncertainty.
“The Maritime teams were playing, so I requested a trade to the Maritime Division and luckily I was traded to Cape Breton.”
MacDonald was acquired by the Eagles, along with Sydney native Trey Sturge, on Jan. 21 in exchange for prospect Alexis Bonefon and a third-round pick in 2021.
Despite growing up cheering for the Halifax Mooseheads, the 17-year-old said he couldn’t be happier to be part of the Eagles organization.
“I think Cape Breton was definitely my top pick,” said MacDonald, noting when he learned of the trade he immediately started packing and joined the team the following day for practice.
“I’m glad to be close to home and in my own province. I’m really looking forward to the battle of Nova Scotia rivalry — I think it’s awesome.”
MATTHEW MACDONALD
- Hometown: Halifax, N.S.
- Age: 17
- Position: Left-wing
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 170
- QMJHL Draft: Selected in the third-round, No. 44 overall, by the Shawinigan Cataractes in 2019
- Traded To: Cape Breton on Jan. 21, 2021, in deal for prospect Alexis Bonefon
ONE DAY AT A TIME
The trade to the Sydney-based franchise has also come with more opportunity to continue to develop his game both on and off the ice.
Currently, MacDonald is playing on the Eagles' third line with Cole Fraser and Jack Campbell and is taking advantage of the chances he’s been given by head coach Jake Grimes.
“As I get more ice and more opportunity, I think I’m growing as a player and that’s the biggest thing right now,” said MacDonald. “I’m taking it one game at a time, one practice at a time and trying to get one per cent better every day.”
The left-winger is no stranger to racking up points.
He recorded 22 goals and 42 points with the Halifax Hawks under-15 major team in 2017-18, before posting 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games with the Halifax McDonald’s under-18 major club.
However, early in his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League career, MacDonald has only posted a goal and an assist in 64 games, but he’s not letting that bother him.
“Patience is key and so is confidence,” said MacDonald. “I stayed positive throughout my first year last season and the start of this season and that hasn’t changed since arriving in Sydney.”
STARTING CAREER
MacDonald began his hockey career with the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association and would eventually represent the city at both the under-15 major and under-18 major divisions.
In 2019, he was selected by the Cataractes in the third-round, No. 44 overall, at the QMJHL Entry Draft and later earned a spot on the then Gordie Dwyer-coached team.
“It was really special and I’m glad that I had the chance to experience the different culture in a French community like Shawinigan,” said MacDonald, who was inspired to play the sport by his father.
“It was a special part of my life to live in Quebec. Shawinigan is a beautiful city and they have a great organization and I’ll always be thankful for them.”
MacDonald scored his first career QMJHL goal on Feb. 6 against the Charlottetown Islanders.
Although he’d like to put the puck in the net more often for the Eagles, MacDonald understands the process and what he needs to do to improve.
“I’d like to work on my 200-foot game for the rest of the year,” said MacDonald, who has 15 shots on goal in 12 games.
“I’ve had a little bit of success playing a responsible defensive game, but I know the offensive side of things will come with time and experience.”
CAREER STATISTICS
- 2016-17 – Halifax Hawks (Under-15 Major) – Games Played: 31 – Goals: 12 – Assists: 9 – Points: 21
- 2017-18 – Halifax Hawks (Under-15 Major) – Games Played: 33 – Goals: 22 – Assists: 20 – Points: 42
- 2018-19 – Halifax McDonalds (Under-18 Major) – Games Played: 36 – Goals: 12 – Assists: 13 – Points: 25
- 2019-20 – Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) – Games Played: 42 – Goals: 0 – Assists: 1 – Points: 1
- 2020-21 – Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) – Games Played: 10 – Goals: 0 – Assists: 0 – Points: 0
- 2020-21 – Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) – Games Played: 12 – Goals: 1 – Assists: 0 – Points: 1
*Note: Statistics don’t include Thursday’s game against the Halifax Mooseheads
BACK IN ACTION
After nearly weeks without playing a game, MacDonald and the Eagles returned to action Thursday night when they travelled to Halifax to play the Mooseheads. The result was not available at press time, however, a recap is online at capebretonpost.com.
Cape Breton will return to the comforts of Centre 200 on Saturday when they host River Denys’ Colten Ellis and the Charlottetown Islanders. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Sydney venue.
The Eagles and Islanders last met on Feb. 27 at Centre 200. Charlottetown won the game 6-3. The Islanders enter Saturday’s contest coming off a 5-2 win over the Mooseheads in Halifax on Tuesday.
Cape Breton forward Davis Cooper and defenceman Zach Welsh, both of whom played with MacDonald in under-18 major, were expected to return to the Eagles lineup Thursday night.
The team will be without goaltender and video coach Charles Grant, who’s currently not with the club following the unexpected death of his mother earlier this week.
Jeremy Fraser is the sports reporter for the Cape Breton Post. Follow Jeremy on Twitter @CBPost_Jeremy.
