Mike MacDonald
Mike MacDonald is a forward who recently completed his first season with the London Knights of the OHL. A speedy player, MacDonald exploded with more than 20 goals after December. HockeyProspect.com expects MacDonald to be drafted in June, and become a key contributor for the Knights next season.
HP: So now that the season is complete, how would you say it went?
MM: Overall, I’m happy with the year. It was my first season in the OHL, and I felt good out there. It took a little while to get used to, but once I did I felt like I really belonged there.
HP: What was your first ever OHL playoff experience like.
MM: It was a good experience, I got a good feel of it. It was a tough loss to Kitchener in game seven, but we gave it all we had and I guess sometimes it’s just not enough.
HP: What would you say you have improved on most since the beginning of the season?
MM: I guess I’d have to say decisions overall. My mental game, skill wasn’t really my problem, it was just reading the play, and I think the coaches taught me a lot and I feel like I’m learning the game more.
HP: Would you say that adjustment was one of the tougher things you had to get used to?
MM: Yeah, pretty much, the quicker playmaking and the decisions need to all be quicker. That was the biggest difference I’ve noticed.
HP: What was your biggest challenge this season?
MM: The toughest challenge I would say was getting off of the fourth line. Once I overcame that, things moved pretty fast.
HP: Have there been any nerves regarding the draft?
MM: I would say that I have just tuned it out. You never know what’s going to happen, and I don’t want to be worrying about that right now. If I get drafted this year that’ll be nice, but if I don’t then I’ll just be here [London]next year and hope to get drafted next year.
HP: How would you characterize your game, or what you like to bring to every game?
MM: I sort of play like a speed guy. I bring some energy to the team obviously and try and score some goals. I try to do whatever the team needs me to do to help us win.
HP: You had a lot more production after December first. Would you say that was a matter of getting used to the OHL and better at finding your spots?
MM: Yeah, I think so, and the coaches started trusting me more and giving me more ice time. It helped playing with Naz [Toronto Maple Leaf prospect Nazem Kadri] and it helps scoring goals. It was a little bit of everything.
HP: So what is your plan for the summer?
MM: Over the summer, I pretty much do the same thing every year: add size and strength; doing everything I can, shooting pucks, passing ,everything. I’m going to work out with my trainer, who is my cousin, and a lot of the Thunder Bay NHL players work out with him.
HP: What are your expectations for next season?
MM: My expectations are pretty high right now. I want to have a 40 goal season next year and I want the team to improve on this past season. I want to win.
HP: It seems like your confidence has grown a lot, would you say that’s the case?
MM: Yeah, for sure and confidence is huge in hockey. You see guys go into slumps all the time and I think a lot of times it’s a confidence thing. I feel really good about my ability and can’t wait to get next season going.
HP: There are some guys leaving London after this season, are you excited to potentially take a leadership role with the squad?
MM: Yeah, well anything I can do for the team I’m excited to do. I hope to have a bigger leadership role and I’m just going to do everything I can for the team.
HP: Are there any NHL or other players you like to watch in terms of learning how to play the game?
MM: I like watching Naz a lot, he was fun to watch to play. I learned a lot from him just how he handles the puck. In the NHL, there are a couple guys. I like the way Darren Helm from Detroit plays the game. He reminds me a lot of myself, he works his tail off every night. He’s an energizer.
HP: Two very different players there, do you think it is important to draw from players who play different games.
MM: Yeah, as you said, they are two very different players, but I like to try to combine the two together and play like that.
HP: So, if you are drafted, why do you think a team will be picking you?
MM: Well, definitely the scoring. I know teams like goal scorers and I felt for my first season I did a pretty good job in that department.
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