Butch McDonald

Byron Russell "Butch" McDonald (November 21, 1916 – January 8, 2006) was a professional ice hockey left winger in the National Hockey League. He was born in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan.

Byron McDonald played 66 games in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks in 1939–40 and 1944–45.

He played junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Canucks in 1934-35 and senior for the Regina Capitals in 1935-36. In 1936-37 he moved to the Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets of the Eastern Hockey League.

He caught the eye of the Detroit Red Wings who signed him as a free agent in 1937. He spent most of his time in the Red Wings' system in the minors, but did play 37 games for Detroit in 1939-40.

Wartime regulations kept him in Canada in 1941-42 when he played for the senior Moose Jaw Millers. McDonald then joined the army and played in 1942-43 with the Regina Army Capitals.

He returned to civilian life in 1944-45 and played 3 more games for Detroit. McDonald was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks in January, 1945. He played the last 26 games of the season for Chicago, scoring 6 goals and 13 assists. However, that was the end of his NHL career. He played two seasons for the Kansas City Pla-Mors of the United States Hockey League, scoring 99 points in 1945-46.

In 1947-48 McDonald joined the senior Calgary Stampeders and was their player-coach in his last active season, 1950-51. He also coached the junior Lethbridge Native Sons in 1953-54.

In the NHL McDonald played in 66 games and scored 8 goals and 20 assists.