Lowell MacDonald obit

MacDonald dies at 84, won Masterton Trophy with Penguins in 1973

Forward was Pittsburgh's 1st player to win NHL award

 He was not on the list.

Lowell Wilson MacDonald, August 30, 1941 – December 28, 2025

Lowell Wilson MacDonald, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, and former NHL All-Star, passed away surrounded by his family. Born on August 30, 1941, Lowell grew up in Thorburn, Nova Scotia, Canada, where his lifelong love of learning and competition first emerged.

Above all other accomplishments, Lowell considered his greatest achievement to be his 62-year marriage to Joyce Smith MacDonald, his life partner, best friend, and constant source of strength. Together, they raised two sons, instilling in them the values of hard work, integrity, and perseverance that defined Lowell’s life. Both sons went on to athletic and professional success, a legacy that brought Lowell immense pride.

In addition to his loving wife Joyce, Lowell is survived by his son Lowell MacDonald, his wife Beth, and their children Emma and Lauren; and by his son Lane MacDonald, his wife Wendy, and their children Cate, Ben, and Maddie. He was a devoted grandfather ("Cappy") who delighted in watching the next generation grow, compete, and find their own paths. He is also survived by his sister, Karen MacLeod.

From an early age, Lowell distinguished himself as both an outstanding student and an exceptional all-around athlete. Hockey, however, was where his rare talent shone brightest. That talent carried him to the National Hockey League, where he enjoyed a remarkable 14-year professional career. Lowell played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. A two-time NHL All-Star, he reached the pinnacle of his playing career during a standout season in which he scored 43 goals and was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy—an achievement that reflected not only his skill but also his relentless work ethic, resilience, and dedication to hockey.

While playing in the NHL, Lowell attended college for 14 summers, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After retiring from professional hockey, he devoted his life to education at the University School of Milwaukee (USM), where he served as a teacher, Athletic Director, and coach.

During his two decades at USM, Lowell positively shaped the lives of hundreds of student-athletes. Known for his unwavering commitment to his teams, he held players to high standards and demanded accountability—but always from a place of deep love and support. His greatest passion was helping students become not just better athletes, but better people. His impact endured long after the final whistle, and his lessons carried far beyond the classroom and rink.

In recognition of his lasting influence, Lowell was awarded the prestigious John Mariucci Award in 2025, honoring a former high school hockey coach whose career profoundly impacted players and the sport itself.

Although Lowell and Joyce spent much of their lives away from Nova Scotia, Pictou County was always their true home. They returned each year for several months to visit family and enjoy their house in Little Harbour. Beyond hockey, Lowell had a deep love of golf and played countless rounds with family and friends at Abercrombie Golf Club, including many enjoyable years helping lead the "Legends" golf group.

Lowell will be remembered as a man of principle, passion, and purpose, and his influence lives on in every life he touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Little Harbour, Nova Scotia this summer.

Lowell MacDonald, who played seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and was their first player to win an NHL award, has died at the age of 84.

A forward, MacDonald won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey,” in 1973. He played the last seven seasons of his career (1970-78) with the Penguins and was a member of "The Century Line" with forwards Syl Apps and Jean Pronovost.

MacDonald played 506 regular-season games with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and the Penguins and had 390 points (180 goals, 210 assists). He also had 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 30 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

MacDonald broke into the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings after being promoted from the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets. He spent parts of three seasons in the Los Angeles Kings organization but sat out most of the 1970 campaign to work on his college degree. That summer, his former coach with the Kings, Red Kelly, had been hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins and selected MacDonald In the intra-league draft. He played just 10 games for Pittsburgh before an old knee injury flared up and forced him to consider retirement. After sitting out all of the 1971–72 season, his wife, Joyce, cajoled Lowell into attempting a comeback.

In 1973, MacDonald was placed on Pittsburgh's top line alongside Syl Apps Jr. and Jean Pronovost. The 'Century Line', as they would come to be known, would be the driving force for the Penguins for three seasons with MacDonald leading the team in goals in 1974. Unfortunately, his time as a star was cut short when he suffered a seventh knee injury that ended his 1977 season after just 3 games. He returned the following year for a brief stint but ended up retiring before the end of the campaign. In 506 NHL games, MacDonald recorded 180 goals, 210 assists, 390 points, and only 92 penalty minutes.

 

Career statistics

                        Regular season                       Playoffs

Season Team   League GP       G         A         Pts       PIM     GP       G         A         Pts       PIM

1959–60          Hamilton Tiger Cubs  OHA-Jr.          48        17        19        36        7          —        —        —            —        —

1960–61          Hamilton Red Wings   OHA-Jr.          48        26        28        54        15        11        6          9            15        4

1961–62          Hamilton Red Wings   OHA-Jr.          50        46        39        85        10        10        7          5            12        8

1961–62          Hamilton Red Wings   M-Cup —        —        —        —        —        14        17        7          24            14

1961–62          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    1          0          0          0          2          —        —        —        —            —

1962–63          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    26        2          1          3          8          1          0          0          0            2

1962–63          Pittsburgh Hornets      AHL    41        20        19        39        4          —        —        —        —            —

1963–64          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    10        1          4          5          0          —        —        —        —            —

1963–64          Pittsburgh Hornets      AHL    59        31        29        60        6          5          3          1          4            2

1964–65          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    9          2          1          3          0          —        —        —        —            —

1964–65          Pittsburgh Hornets      AHL    59        16        20        36        10        2          0          0          0            0

1965–66          Rochester Americans  AHL    1          0          0          0          0          —        —        —        —            —

1965–66          Tulsa Oilers     CPHL  57        33        25        58        4          11        5          4          9          0

1966–67          Tulsa Oilers     CPHL  33        14        17        31        8          —        —        —        —        —

1967–68          Los Angeles Kings      NHL    74        21        24        45        12        7          3          4          7            2

1968–69          Los Angeles Kings      NHL    58        14        14        28        10        7          2          3          5            0

1968–69          Springfield Kings        AHL    9          6          9          15        0          —        —        —        —            —

1969–70          Springfield Kings        AHL    14        4          3          7          0          3          0          0          0            0

1970–71          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    10        0          1          1          0          —        —        —        —            —

1972–73          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    78        34        41        75        8          —        —        —        —            —

1973–74          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    78        43        39        82        14        —        —        —        —            —

1974–75          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    71        27        33        60        24        9          4          2          6            4

1975–76          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    69        30        43        73        12        3          1          0          1            0

1976–77          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    3          1          1          2          0          3          1          2          3            4

1977–78          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    19        5          8          13        2          —        —        —        —            —

NHL totals       506      180      210      390      92        30        11        11        22        12

 

Awards

OHA-Jr. First All-Star Team (1962)

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (1973)

NHL All-Star Game (1973, 1974)

Transactions

May 20, 1965 – Traded to Toronto by Detroit with Marcel Pronovost, Eddie Joyal, Larry Jeffrey and Aut Erickson for Andy Bathgate, Billy Harris and Gary Jarrett.

June 6, 1967 – Claimed by Los Angeles from Toronto in 1967 NHL Expansion Draft.

June 9, 1970 – Claimed by Pittsburgh from Los Angeles in a 1970 NHL Intra-League Draft.

October 21, 1970 – Missed majority of 1970–71 and entire 1971–72 due to knee injury vs. Los Angeles.

December 10, 1975 – Missed majority of 1976–77 and 1977–78 due to shoulder injury originally vs. Detroit.