Former Thunderwolves forward MacDonald joins Laurentian coaching staff

SUDBURY – Former Lakehead Thunderwolves forward Michael MacDonald has a new gig this fall.

The 24-year-old has hung up his skates and will instead step behind the bench of the Laurentian Voyageurs, the Ontario University Athletics team he joined after a one-season stint with the Thunderwolves in 2012-13.

According to the Sudbury Star, which first reported the hiring, MacDonald will serve under head coach and former NHLer Craig Duncanson, filling a vacancy left when former assistants Darryl Moxam and Dave Clancy left to take over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Rayside-Balfour Canadians.

"I'm looking forward to adding him," Duncanson told the Star of his new assistant. "He adds a bit of youth, he's a guy that the players can relate to, and we're excited about the three of us working together to go forward.

"Mike was a leader and an exceptional penalty killer and I think he can really add to our special teams. And quite frankly, as much as we think we're still able to relate to the kids, I am going to be 50 years old next year, Mike is 25 and I like that mix and that dynamic."