Adrian Dater
It was only a little more than eight months ago that Jacob MacDonald wondered if he’d even have an NHL career to continue, forget about just with the Colorado Avalanche. After a Dec. 12 hit from Florida’s Ryan Lomberg that resulted in a serious concussion and him having to be stretchered off the ice, MacDonald had reason to worry.
He couldn’t remember anything from the hit itself and described the following days as a “blur.” On July 10th, MacDonald signed a new two-year contract with the Avalanche, one with a $762,000 cap hit at the NHL level and $450,000 per year, guaranteed, at the AHL level. Last month, he was on the ice at Amalie Arena, lifting the Stanley Cup over his head. Life has become very good again for Jacob MacDonald, and his enthusiasm is evident over the phone in a conversation with Colorado Hockey Now.
Not the least of which: he and his wife, Stefannie, are expecting their first child.
“To be able to say that the Stanley Cup champions want you back, I mean, that’s a pretty good feeling,” said MacDonald, 29. “My wife and I just love it here, and this is such a great organization to be a part of. I’m very grateful.”
MacDonald was part of the Avalanche’s expanded roster in the Cup Final, though he didn’t play for the Avalanche in the playoffs. He played eight games for Colorado in the regular season, and 33 for the Colorado Eagles, putting up 25 points as a left-shot D-man.
He has proven he can play some forward in a pinch, too, and has drawn high marks from everyone around both organizations for his leadership skills and willingness to do anything.
“He’s a good, fundamental player, smart on his skates,” Eagles coach Greg Cronin said. “He’s really good with younger players too.”
It’s unknown still whether MacDonald will get his name on the Stanley Cup, but probably unlikely. The rules say a player must play at least 41 games in the regular season, not have been traded after that or played one game in the Stanley Cup Final. There can be exceptions for some players, however, especially those who had a serious injury and the club insists on it.
MacDonald said he isn’t too concerned with that. He said it was still a thrill to be with the team in Tampa, and to take part in the Denver victory parade.
“It was unforgettable, so much fun,” said MacDonald, who was acquired from Florida in 2019 in exchange for Dominic Toninato. “The guys just played so great. I think our team speed, ultimately, was the difference. We were just faster than everybody, but also played smart.”
If it all came to an end in hockey, MacDonald has an Ivy League degree from Cornell to fall back upon. He played four years for the Big Red from 2011-15. Originally from Portland, Ore., MacDonald has 43 games of NHL experience. Will he get a lot more with the Avalanche in 2022-23?
That will be sorted out by the coaches during training camp. But Jacob MacDonald said he’ll go in with the attitude he’s always had: just do your best, control what you can control and go from there. How much room there is on the Avalanche blue line remains to be seen.
“I’m just super-excited to keep having an opportunity with (the Avalanche),” MacDonald said. “I’m lucky.”