Lanny McDonald
Flames franchise single-season goal record holder and Hall of Famer.
Lanny King McDonald was a Canadian professional hockey player whose 16-year NHL career spanned the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies, and Calgary Flames from 1973 to 1989. Over more than 1,100 games, he netted 500 goals and surpassed 1,000 points. His 66-goal season in 1982–83 still stands as the Flames’ single-season record. In his final year, 1988–89, he served as co-captain when the Flames won the Stanley Cup.
Born February 16, 1953, in Hanna, Alberta, McDonald was the youngest of four children. His father, Lorne, worked the family farm near Craigmyle, and his mother, Phyllis, was a teacher active in the community. Lanny learned to skate at five and quickly fell in love with hockey. He served as a stick boy for his father’s community team and grew up listening to Foster Hewitt’s *Hockey Night in Canada* broadcasts. His middle name, King, came from Maple Leafs legend King Clancy, reflecting the family’s devotion to Toronto. He began organized hockey at six, and his parents drove him and his brother Lynn to practices and games in Hanna—McDonald later recalled spending half his youth hockey time in Hanna and the other half in the car. He finished high school while playing junior A in Lethbridge, choosing to stay there in 1970–71 rather than join the Medicine Hat Tigers so he could earn his diploma.
McDonald started junior hockey in 1969 with the Lethbridge Sugar Kings of the AJHL, scoring two goals in 34 games as a 16-year-old. The next season, he broke out with 37 goals and 82 points in 45 games, earning league MVP and second-team All-Star honors. He also played six WCHL games with the Calgary Centennials. After the Medicine Hat Tigers acquired his rights in a trade, he joined them in 1971–72, finishing eighth in league scoring with 114 points (50 goals). He improved to 62 goals and 139 points in 1972–73, finishing third in scoring and making the WCHL All-Star team. He added 37 playoff points as the Tigers won the league championship.
In his 1973 draft year, the NHL was competing with the WHA for talent. McDonald was a top prospect, and the Vancouver Canucks, picking third, passed on him after he indicated he might go to the WHA rather than play there. Toronto took him fourth overall. The Cleveland Crusaders selected him 10th in the WHA draft.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 1992
- Birth Date
- 1953-02-16
- Birth Place
- Hanna, Alberta, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 0
- Weight Lb
- 185
- Position
- Right wing
- Shoots
- Right
- Played For
- Toronto Maple Leafs / Colorado Rockies / Calgary Flames
- Ntl Team
- CAN
- Draft
- 4th overall
- Draft Year
- 1973
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
McDonald was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft. He established himself as an offensive forward with three consecutive 40-goal seasons in Toronto in the mid-1970s. His trade to the Colorado Rockies in 1979 prompted Toronto fans to protest in front of Maple Leaf Gardens. He played parts of three seasons in Denver before being sent to Calgary in 1981, where he spent the remainder of his career. McDonald co-captained the Flames to a Stanley Cup championship in his final season of 1988–89. His bushy red moustache and personality made him an iconic figure within the sport. He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1983 and was the inaugural winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1988 for his leadership and humanitarian presence, particularly through his long association with the Special Olympics. Internationally, McDonald represented Team Canada as a player twice and in a management role three times; his assist created the tournament-winning overtime goal of the inaugural 1976 Canada Cup, and he was director of player personnel for Canada's 2004 World Championship winning team. The Flames retired his uniform number 9 in 1990. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2015, he was named chairman of the board of the Hockey Hall of Fame after serving nine years on its selection committee. He was named to the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2022 and has been a trustee of the Stanley Cup since 2023.
Reader's Guide
McDonald's significance stems from his 16-year NHL career spanning over 1,100 games, 500 goals, and over 1,000 points, highlighted by a Flames franchise-record 66 goals in 1982–83. He co-captained Calgary to a Stanley Cup championship in his final season, 1988–89. His trade from Toronto to Colorado in 1979 caused fan protests, reflecting his popularity. McDonald's legacy includes winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (1983) and the inaugural King Clancy Memorial Trophy (1988) for dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, and humanitarian work, especially with the Special Olympics. Internationally, he contributed as a player and manager, including an assist on the winning goal of the 1976 Canada Cup and serving as director of player personnel for Canada's 2004 World Championship team. The Flames retired his number 9 in 1990. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992 and later became chairman of its board in 2015. He was named to the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2022 and became a Stanley Cup trustee in 2023.
Did You Know?
- McDonald's middle name, King, was given after Maple Leafs star King Clancy.
- He wore a helmet for all but approximately 2.8 seconds of his professional career after suffering a concussion in his NHL debut.
- His 66 goals in 1982–83 remains the Calgary Flames' franchise record for a single season.
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