Much of the success the Clarkson hockey program has enjoyed since the early 1920s can be attributed to the numerous all-star goaltenders who patrolled the Golden Knights’ crease over the years. One of the best that Clarkson fans have ever seen was Ed Macdonald. A 5-10, 165-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario, Macdonald anchored the Clarkson crease for head coach Bill Harrison’s teams from 1955-58 and averaged 28 saves per game with a remarkable average of just 2.00 goals scored against him. Macdonald posted a 48-6 record and in the process was twice named an All-America (1957-58).
With Macdonald between the pipes, the Golden Knights enjoyed some of their most successful campaigns. As a sophomore in 1955-56, Macdonald helped Clarkson to its best season in the program’s history as the Green and Gold skated to a perfect 23-0 record. The following two seasons he emerged as one of the best goaltenders in the nation, backstopping the Knights to their first two NCAA Tournament showings in 1957 and 1958 where they placed third both times.
In his first season with the Clarkson varsity, Macdonald played a key role in the undefeated 1955-56 campaign. Sharing time with veteran Don Cooper at the start of the season, Macdonald began to display his tremendous talents when he came off the bench in the third period to help Clarkson come from behind to defeat Boston College 7-6 in overtime at the Boston Tournament on December 30. Coach Harrison continued to alternate his two goaltenders for the next several weeks, during which time Clarkson maintained its unbeaten record, including shutout victories over Boston University and Dartmouth. Macdonald was then handed the assignment to start the last six games of the season, which was capped off by his 34-save effort in the season finale, a 7-4 victory over St. Lawrence at Clarkson Arena as the Knights finished with an unblemished record.
As a junior, Macdonald emerged as a team leader, serving in an assistant captain’s role, and saw the bulk of the playing time in goal as the Knights posted a 19-3 overall record and made their first ever appearance in the 10-year history of the NCAAs to cap off the 1956-57 season. Macdonald’s play took center stage in the national tournament, held at the Colorado Springs Broadmoor Ice Palace, as Clarkson finished third in the country. After losing to eventual champion Colorado College, 5-3, despite a 55-save performance by Macdonald, in the first round, the Knights came back to defeat Harvard 2-1 in the consolation game. Macdonald, who posted 44 stops against the Crimson, became the first Clarkson player named to an NCAA All-Tournament team in recognition of the 99 saves he made in the two games.
Macdonald was once again a main reason for the Knights’ success the following year as he closed out his collegiate career by serving as captain on Clarkson’s team, which posted a 17-3 overall record and made its second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Macdonald turned back an average of 29 shots per game in 1957-58 and recorded shutouts over American International College (6-0) and Boston University (1-0). At the 1958 national championship tournament, played at the University of Minnesota’s Williams Arena Rink in Minneapolis, Macdonald saved his best play when it mattered most to earn his second straight nod on the NCAA All-Tournament squad. After a tough 6-2 loss to eventual champion Denver in first round action, Clarkson was out shot by Harvard 39-18 in the consolation game, but Macdonald came up big with 38 saves to lead the Knights over the Cantabs 5-1 for their second consecutive third-place finish and the mythical Eastern crown in the national tourney.
Upon graduation in the spring of 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Macdonald was awarded the prestigious Frederica Clarkson Award, presented at commencement to one of two students, who in the judgment of the University faculty has demonstrated the best combination of scholarship and professional achievement.
Ed Macdonald accepts his Athletic Hall of Fame plaque from Clarkson AD Sean T. Frazier
