Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of halifaxmooseheads.com
- Name: Franklin MacDonald
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Birthdate: 1985-04-08
- Eligible for Draft: 2003
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Sydney, Nova Scotia
- Acquired:
- Playing In: Pro
Franklin MacDonald
Prospect Grade: 6.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
Hailing from Sydney, Nova Scotia, MacDonald was originally an undrafted invite to the hometown Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2002-03, but was unable to crack the roster as a 17-year-old. MacDonald tried again the following season as a walk-on for the Halifax Mooseheads, and after a slow start, he was able to display a strong work ethic and competent play in his own end, and earned a roster spot as the team’s seventh defenseman. He played sparingly initially, but slowly worked his way up the depth chart, finishing the season in the third pairing with occasional special teams time, picking up 12 points in 63 games, with a minus-19 rating on what was an abysmal squad.
Things were full circle for MacDonald after his rookie campaign on a poor team, as the Mooseheads made it all the way to the QMJHL finals, before bowing out to Rimouski in four games. MacDonald played in the second pairing on what was a vastly improved squad, seeing occasional time on the power play and penalty kill, and picking up 16 points in 65 games.
MacDonald returned to the Mooseheads for a third season – his overage campaign – and would be counted on as the No. 1 defenseman on a team. He developed an increasingly more impressive offensive game serving as the power play quarterback for the Mooseheads (picking up 10 power-play markers), and was a leader for his young defense mates. He finished fourth on the team in points with 45 (first among defensemen), put up a plus-9 rating on a mid-pack team despite seeing nearly 30 minutes a game, and also put up 129 penalty minutes.
In the off-season, MacDonald was a participant on the television program “Making the Cut: Last Man Standing”. Also, MacDonald’s talents were recognized by Florida, and he was offered a contract. He has split time with the AHL’s Rochester Americans and the ECHL’s Florida Everblades in this his first professional season.
2007-08: MacDonald was sent down to the Everblades from Rochester on three occasions, his third “demotion,” in order to participate in the ECHL playoffs where he contributed with one assist. With Rochester, he had a goal and 13 assists.
January 2007 feature on MacDonald.
Talent Analysis
MacDonald’s most noticeable attribute is his shifty footwork. MacDonald is a quick skater who likes to jump into the rush, and has also got good offensive instincts. He was able to develop these skills in his last year of junior, when he was pressed into a more offensive role. He had been more known as a defensive defenseman with a bit of a physical presence in his first couple years, and the more rounded game played an important role in his being signed by the Panthers.
Steady defenseman who makes very few mistakes in coverage. Sufficiently physical.
Future
MacDonald has overcome many obstacles in his career, having gone undrafted, yet earning an NHL contract and jumping to the professional ranks nonetheless. MacDonald has built a balanced game, and could develop into a third-pairing defenseman who can play in any special teams role.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: July, 1st 2009
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