NHL Legend, Chairman of the Board, Hockey Hall of Fame
Lanny McDonald, best known for his outstanding sixteen year hockey career, is not only an exceptional athlete, but is also a dedicated family man, community leader, philanthropist, and successful businessman.
Drafted fourth overall in 1973, McDonald enjoyed sixteen prolific seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies, and the Calgary Flames. McDonald retired as a champion shortly following the Flames’ Stanley Cup victory 1989, but Calgary remains his home today.
McDonald has been recognized as a leader throughout his career. He was honored as a Chief of the Blood Indian Tribe in 1983, was the inaugural recipient of the King Clancy Memorial award in 1988, was honored as the NHL’s Man of the Year in 1989, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. In 2015, McDonald was named as the Chairman of the Board to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
McDonald’s number ‘9’ became the first number to be retired by the Flames organization, in recognition of his contribution and dedication to the game and of hockey, and commitment to his community. He remained with the Flames in a management capacity for several years, and also became involved in Team Canada, and was instrumental in the 2001 World Championship entry and the 2002 gold medal winning Olympic squad.
During and following his hockey career, McDonald was proud of his involvement in many charities. The dearest to his heart was and will always be Special Olympics, of which he has been a part of since 1973.
McDonald now enjoys business outside the game of hockey. Along with his wife Ardell, and their children Andra and her husband Josh, Leah, Barrett, and Graham, they have started a family business in Northwest Montana in which the entire family is involved.
