Joey MacDonald

Lore & Background

MacDonald began his junior career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Halifax Mooseheads in 1997–98, recording only three wins in 17 games. He then moved to the Ontario Hockey League's Peterborough Petes, where he became the starting goaltender and finished with a winning record and a lower goals against average. After signing with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent, he played for the Toledo Storm of the ECHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, eventually becoming the Griffins' starting goaltender and setting team records for wins and shutouts.

MacDonald made his NHL debut on October 19, 2006, with the Red Wings against the San Jose Sharks, entering the game after Chris Osgood allowed three power-play goals. He earned his first NHL win on February 11, 2007, a 7–4 victory over the Calgary Flames. After being claimed on waivers by the Boston Bruins on February 24, 2007, he won his first game with them on March 4, 2007, a 4–1 decision over the New Jersey Devils.

On July 8, 2007, MacDonald signed a two-year deal as an unrestricted free agent with the New York Islanders and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In the 2008–09 season, he became the Islanders' regular backup goaltender due to the departure of Wade Dubielewicz and the one-way nature of his contract. Despite a 14–26–6 record and a 3.37 goals against average, he recorded his first career NHL shutout in a 2–0 win over his former team, the Detroit Red Wings, making 42 saves.

Reader's Guide

MacDonald's significance lies in his journeyman career as a reliable backup goaltender across multiple NHL organizations. His time with the New York Islanders was particularly notable because he stepped into the backup role during a period when starting goaltender Rick DiPietro was frequently injured. MacDonald's 2008–09 season with the Islanders, while statistically modest, included a memorable shutout against the Detroit Red Wings, the team that had originally signed him.

His career also highlights the path of a goaltender who developed through the AHL, setting team records for the Grand Rapids Griffins in wins (70) and shutouts (14). After leaving the Islanders, MacDonald continued to serve as a backup for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Calgary Flames, and later played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga for the Schwenninger Wild Wings. His legacy is that of a dependable professional who filled roles at multiple levels of hockey.

Did You Know?

• MacDonald made his NHL debut on October 19, 2006, replacing Chris Osgood after three power-play goals in the first 15 minutes.