Photo Credit: Twitter/@kirkmacdonald13
Kirk MacDonald, shockingly resigned yesterday as Head Coach of the Reading Royals, and Director of Hockey Operations.
“Kirk has been an intricate part of our team and community as both a player and coach for nine seasons,” Royals’ General Manager David Farrar said in a press release yesterday. “His dedication to his players, team personnel, and the game of hockey is second to none.”
MacDonald has built one heck of a resume during his tenure as a Head Coach of the Royals. Not only was he successful in the win column, but he was very successful at developing players. Take for instance Matt Strome, whom it appeared that his development stalled at the professional level until he was sent to MacDonald. MacDonald helped improve Strome’s skating and built his confidence back up, to which Strome became one of the most consistent Forwards for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2021-22. At one point I thought he would receive a recall to the big Club, their parent Club of the Flyers.
Moreover, MacDonald also guided Max Willman and Hayden Hodgson to the NHL. Both made their NHL Debut’s this past season, to which Willman wound up playing half the season with the Flyers (41 games to be exact).
“It has been an honour to be the head coach of the Royals for the past five seasons. First I’d like to thank GM David Farrar and the BCCCA for the opportunity to lead this team. You are only as good as your ownership in pro sports and they have given us all the tools needed to succeed and then some.” – Coach MacDonald
The now former Royals Head Coach in MacDonald, compiled a record of 158-86-34. The Royals made the playoffs in four of the five seasons with MacDonald as Head Coach/Interim Head Coach. They not only won their Division this past season, but they also managed to win their Conference, as well. In addition, they finished tied for the most points (99) in franchise history.
Now MacDonald shockingly heads to the USHL as Head Coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The Saints are getting one heck of a coach that stops at nothing short but winning.
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He probably wants a chance to work for an organization that isn’t run by the corporate culture in scooter, fletch and before is was homer. 5+ seasons and last year they make Lappy coach of the Phantoms. MacDonald had no chance to advance there.