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Posted Dec. 13, 2002
By Annie Fowler
Herald staff writer
The Tri-City Americans were in the midst of a 12-game losing streak and general manager Bob Tory had been making deals for weeks.
Ian McDonald thought he was next up on the trading block.
"We were probably 15 games into the season and I was a healthy scratch in Spokane," McDonald said. "I hadn't scored yet and I thought I might be next. When it gets to that point, every game that goes by, you grip your stick tighter because you want to score."
McDonald, 17, admitted he might have been trying too hard.
A talk with Americans coach Shaun Clouston in late November helped the Edmonton, Alberta, native relax and gain a little confidence.
"I had a meeting with Shaun and he told me I was an offensive player and to play how I know I can," said McDonald, who was a first-round bantam draft pick by the Americans in 2000. "He told me to shoot the puck and things will go my way. That gave me confidence knowing the coach was behind me and believed in me."
A little confidence took McDonald to new heights.
He scored his first goal against Spokane on Nov. 23 - and it turned out to be the game-winner.
Since then, McDonald has scored seven goals and added three assists in the Americans' last nine games, including the game-winners in back-to-back games with Portland last weekend.
"I have more confidence skating with the puck now," McDonald said. "I know I can score."
Clouston had faith in his 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward. It just took a little convincing to get McDonald on the right track.
"We had a conversation in Cranbrook," Clouston recalled. "I told him we had confidence in him and that he had potential. Mac is working harder. He was a big offensive player at the minor level, but it is a big difference to play at this level."
Clouston has been pleased with the results that have come from their discussion.
"He has some unbelievable stats and some big goals at key times," Clouston said. "The overtime goal in Portland was the biggest."
Tory was still with the Kootenay Ice when Don Hay and Bob Brown drafted McDonald, but he said McDonald is starting to live up to the projections that people had for him two years ago when he was the No. 3 pick overall.
"He came from bantams without playing midgets," Tory said. "The transition has been hard and it took him awhile to make that next step. The important thing is that you are patient, but they have to be accountable for their play."
With success come confidence, and McDonald has enjoyed being a contributing member of the team.
"Confidence is huge in this game," McDonald said. "I have confidence with the puck and I have confidence around the net. The bounces are starting to go my way. It seems no matter what I shoot, it goes in."
His production in the last nine games has impressed Tory.
"He's really stepped it up," Tory said. "He's a big man, skates well and has good puck movement. He's come through for us in some games. The credit goes to him for developing a work ethic and persevering when things were tough. He's become an important part of our team."
McDonald starting played hockey as a young boy. He was encouraged by his father, Terry, who played in the Western Hockey League for five years (1971-76).
"He's taught me some good tricks," McDonald said of his dad, who started with the Edmonton Oil Kings (now the Portland Winter Hawks) and finished his WHL career with the Kamloops Chiefs (now the Seattle Thunderbirds). "He came down for the Swift Current, Prince George and Medicine Hat games. Maybe he's good luck."
When he's not on the ice, McDonald takes classes at Kamiakin High and takes a couple of correspondence courses with a school in Canada over the Internet.
He also likes to play golf, watch movies, play video games and even has a hidden talent for badminton.
"I took lessons three or four years ago," McDonald said. "It helps with the hand-eye coordination."
That has been evident the past two weeks.
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