Just another morning in a busy coffee shop in northwest Calgary. People coming, people going, people slurping their lattes.
Well, most people.
But a few are taking keen notice of the table in the middle of the establishment. There, a familiar-looking gentleman is sitting back and telling stories to a reporter.
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They stop. They stare. Presumably, they take pictures.
Lanny McDonald does not flinch. He carries on, spinning tales about his 1981 trade to the Calgary Flames. If he notices any of the gawking, he doesn’t mention it.
One admirer eventually approaches. Shyly and smilingly, the woman addresses McDonald as “Mr. Lanny,” formal yet familiar all at once.
At a nearby table, three young men are also clearly enjoying the situation, basking in the Lanny-ness of it all. Every few minutes, they rotate seats – one perch offers the best view of their hero, another the best spot for listening.
McDonald can have that effect.
That had been the scene more than 10 years ago. The occasion? Getting the star’s reaction to being named one of the top citizens in Alberta. Makes sense. After all, McDonald grew up in Hanna, played junior in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, captured the Stanley Cup in Calgary, along the way achieving a nearly untouched level of fame in this part of the world.
“Well, it is cool,” McDonald said of the voting results that day in September 2008. “But it is weird because when you consider names like Grant MacEwan — like, how do you ever fit into that category? What you did, you weren’t doing it for any reason (like this) — you were doing it because it was the right thing to do. I feel humbled and honoured to be even considered in the top 10.
“And well … I don’t know what else to say.”
More often than not, though, the man does have something to say. He’s always worth a listen. Because McDonald is not only instantly recognizable, he’s forever interesting.
Our recent talk was no different.
Over a wide-ranging phone conversation, McDonald, 65, weighed in on his draft day(s), his all-star appearances, the current success of the Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs, his induction into (and his work for) the Hockey Hall of Fame – everything, including Sam Bennett’s bushy mustache, which has been drawing favourable comparisons to you-know-who’s.
“He’s got two more years of growth to get to the old boy’s level,” McDonald said, laughing. “The good news about his is it’s red. The red is long gone from mine. (But) there should be no comparisons. You wear it, you own it, and that’s his. Regardless of what he does with it, have fun with it. Whether he shaves it off and regrows it for Movember next year or he’s like myself where I’ll help do the advertising, but this baby is staying right where it is. It’s 44 years now and I’m not about to shave it off.”
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Even offers of $100,000 — twice! — failed to convince him to lather up.
“I would’ve had to go into hiding for two years to grow it back.”
Last week, (CHAT radio’s play-by-play man) Bob Ridley called his 3,900th game for the Tigers. In other words, he called every game of your entire junior career in Medicine Hat and, basically, hasn’t stopped.
Thirty-nine hundred? Oh my god. First of all, the guy is legendary for not only calling the games but for driving the bus. And how he calls the games and how much he puts into it is absolutely fantastic. Good on him. Holy smokes. That’s remarkable.
Speaking of the Tigers, I want to ask you about your draft day. What do you remember about (being selected fourth overall in 1973)?
At that time, the draft was always in Montreal, at the Mount Royal Hotel. The only reason Tom Lysiak and me were there is because we’d played the Memorial Cup in Montreal and the draft was right after, so we ended up staying. I remember just standing in the side of the room with four or five other players when my name was called. King Clancy came over and said, ‘Why don’t you come over and meet everyone at the table?’ It was not a big deal back then – and what a production they’ve made of it since. I mean, it’s a full-fledged, all-in production with family and friends and everybody else.
So no photo ops, no sweater with your name on it?
(Laughs) No, none of that stuff. I waited until I got to training camp and there was No. 7 (sweater) in front of my stall. I would’ve worn whatever number they gave me.
You were also drafted by the Cleveland Crusaders (of the World Hockey Association). I remember once talking to Bryan Trottier, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Stingers, and he said he actually had a conversation with his parents about which way to go — Cincinnati or the New York Islanders. Did you consider Cleveland?
I actually went to Cleveland and met with them. But my dad (Lorne) was the biggest Toronto Maple Leafs fan. I think if I’d have gone to Cleveland, that would have been the end of the family ties — I’m just kidding, of course.
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Cincinnati offered Trottier $50,000 a year for 10 years.
I think (Cleveland) was offering a five-year contract. I can’t remember how much it was, but it was a lot of money. But when it came right down to it, it was, “No, I want to play for the Maple Leafs.”
You mentioned seeing No. 7 in your stall, what else stands out from that first camp in Toronto?
I remember the day before training camp started, I was just sitting there in darkened Maple Leaf Gardens, at the top of the reds. All that was on were the emergency lights or the light coming in from the hallway, so it was kind of surreal. A (Toronto Sun) writer by the name of John Iaboni saw me sitting up there and he came over and asked if he could do a story. I said, ‘I’d be more than happy to do the story, if you can just give me 10 minutes just to sit here.’ Which was probably pretty ballsy for a kid that had no idea what to expect. But John had great respect for the fact that I just wanted to sit there for a few minutes. I remember that as kind of the kick-off (to my NHL career). It was pretty cool.
Were you pretty sure you were going to make the Leafs?
No, although at that time they had had five or six players who defected and went to the World Hockey Association. And there were five rookies … free agents Borje Salming and Inge Hammarstrom, and (first-round picks) Ian Turnbull, Bob Neely and myself. So you had no idea, yet you hoped you could (crack the lineup). But, obviously, there were no guarantees.
Especially that first year, I certainly struggled a bit trying to find my way (with 30 points in 70 games). Thank goodness they were patient. Jim Gregory was the general manager at that time and we had lots of great talks. He always said, ‘Look, if the pressure gets too much and I need to get you out of here, I’ll find the right spot.’ And I said, ‘No, I want to be a Maple Leaf.’ That was the kind of conversations you could have back then.
One thing comes to mind when I think of those first two years, struggling in Toronto. We got married that summer and when you have someone to share it with, good or bad, it makes a big difference. Ardell was that for me.
What’s your impression of the Flames now? They’re creating a lot of buzz in town — and around the league.
I met Bill Peters three years ago in Russia when he coached Canada at the world championships. He did an unbelievable job over there. I thought as soon as the Flames got him as their coach that he’d do a great job. Obviously, it was a great choice.
Then the big trade to get (Noah) Hanifin and (Elias) Lindholm. Look at Hanifin, a mainstay on defence. Very young but very poised. Look at Lindholm – he can play on your first, second, third, fourth line and all he does is make everyone better on every one of those lines. He reminds me a little bit of Hakan Loob. Not that big, but he’s magical with the puck. Look at the success he’s had with (Sean) Monahan and (Johnny) Gaudreau. Holy smokes. That line’s on fire.
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(Mark Giordano), what a great job he’s doing as captain. How about the bounce-back year T.J. Brodie is having, back playing with his regular partner? And is Matthew (Tkachuk) a chip off the old block or what?
And to have (Mikael) Backlund … and as long as (Mark) Jankowski can keep coming. Little bit of a slow start, but he’s played much better as of late.
The wild card in all this is James Neal. Even though he hasn’t had a great season. He’s one of those streak players that, sooner or later, he’ll find it, then he’ll go on a run.
It’s been interesting this season. As the Flames cruise along, piling up wins, it’s, “Oh, this is the most points since 1989,” or, “This is the highest they’ve been in the standings since 1989.” Is it fair to compare the two teams?
You really can’t until the playoffs come around. You’ve got to find a way to win – and not only in the regular season. But every time they win a close game or a tough game, that just gets them better prepared for the playoffs.
I really like where they’re at. To be able to watch on the power rankings and see them climb the ladder each and every week, it’s pretty cool. They’re fun to watch. They should be the toast of the town right now.
The other day the NHL announced players for the all-star weekend. We know how that game typically looks — at least nowadays — but I got thinking about your (four) all-star appearances.
Brian Sutter and Marcel Dionne and me were on the same line representing the (Campbell Conference in 1983). And we had these guys by the name of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier on the team — (laughs) they were pretty good. I remember Brian Sutter saying, “Hey, Lanny, you and I only know how to play this game one way. That’s tough, grinding it out. Not like Messier and Gretzky.” We kind of laughed about it.
Yeah, you and (Philadelphia Flyers winger) Gary Dornhoefer had some run-ins at the 1977 all-star game.
Yeah, there were little exchanges with guys like Dornhoefer. You played one way, hard from start to finish.
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In the summary from the 1978 all-star game, I see that you and (goalie) Billy Smith received coincidental minors. Remember that?
(Laughs) That certainly does ring a bell. I used to try to do that wraparound and Billy Smith would go from one side of the net to the other and he’d kind of tomahawk his stick at you. You think, “One of these days, he’s going to break my ankles.” So the two of us never really saw eye to eye. We laugh about it now. At that time, it didn’t matter if it was an all-star game or not. Billy and I had a (regular-season) fight a couple of years after that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOI6RoC05IQ
These days, you’re chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame. What a prestigious role that must be.
If you love the history of the game and the tradition of the game, you’re doing everything possible to preserve that magic, so people can enjoy it for all time.
Every year surprises you. We had a gala celebration last year — the 75th anniversary of the Hockey Hall of Fame and 25 years at its current location. The night before (the induction ceremony there was an event for) just Hall of Famers and their significant others. There was Ted Lindsay and Red Kelly at different tables — I think one is 92 years old and the other is 93 — and there were players like Serge Savard and Larry Robinson going over to visit with that generation. Then the younger guys, like Paul Kariya or Phil Housley … the respect factor was unbelievable. Guys like Bobby Clarke, who never saw eye to eye with any of the Canadiens, visiting with the Canadiens. It was a great evening.
Is one of your duties — or privileges, I should say — calling inductees to give them the good news? (A transcript of his call to Martin St-Louis)
I share those duties with John Davidson. I’m chairman of the board. John is chairman of the selection committee. We do it together. It is such an honour to be able to pick up the phone. I’ll give you the example of Marty Brodeur. He was a perennial all-star, so you would think he automatically knows he’s going in. But until you get that phone call, you’re just never sure. The other side of it is being able to phone a guy like Rogie Vachon, who waited 36 or 37 years and finally got into the Hall. Or (friends) Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne going in together.
Do you remember your induction call (in 1992)?
Yeah, I thought it was one of the guys pranking me, actually. It was a great moment. You never think of entering the Hall when you’re playing the game. You’re trying to find a way to fit in. Then after you fit in, you’re trying to find a way to win the Stanley Cup. You never think of the Hall – that’s the furthest thing from your mind. Then, all of a sudden, when your playing days are all over, you kind of think, ‘Well, I wonder if I did enough.’
One of the cool things … Bob Gainey and I were drafted the same year, played our entire careers against each other, head to head. Whether I was in Toronto, Colorado or Calgary, every time I had to face Bob Gainey. So we had great respect for each other – and then we went into the Hall together.
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Now Jarome Iginla is retired. Like you, his sweater will be retired and he’ll be in the Hall of Fame, too. How to do you view Iginla’s contributions?
Well, when you score over 500 goals for the same team, the same organization … and how he carried himself both on the ice and off the ice. He was never afraid to drop the gloves and make a statement for his team. You think about 2004 and the two captains (Iginla and Tampa’s Vincent Lecavalier) going at it in that playoff. How he played each and every game, how he carried himself off the ice. I remember a road trip … him standing out there, signing autographs for the kids — and he was the only one. Everyone else, all the rest of the guys, were on the bus. He went over and told them, ‘Get your butts out here and sign autographs for five minutes, then we’ll leave.’ That tells you a whole lot about leadership and taking the time to make it a great day for the next generation.
Going to China with the Flames, what was that experience like for you?
To be able to take my grandson on the trip — Hayden is 12 years old — what a great opportunity for the two of us, to hang out together, to hang out with the team, to see another culture, go to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City. The list just went on and on.
I can guarantee that not everything went great on that trip. Because the equipment bags were locked up (in customs), they had to keep making changes — ‘OK, instead of taking another day off, we’ll do the Great Wall today. Hopefully, we can practise tomorrow.’ I’m sure from a management standpoint, they were probably very frustrated. But sometimes a trip like that, (because) you spend so much time with your teammates, it works to your advantage, even though things didn’t always go great. I’d like to think that played a part in how they’re playing right now.
Well, if you look at the standings, you see two of your former teams near the top. Only Tampa is better than Toronto and Calgary. There must be no better feeling for a hockey player than when your team is really rolling.
It is so good. Not that it isn’t great in Colorado or Dallas or Philadelphia. But the Canadian markets — look at the White Out in Winnipeg in the playoffs last year — and how good that feels.
Can you imagine — and this is a long ways down the road — if Calgary ended up in the finals against Toronto? That would be a dream come true. Maybe not from the NHL’s standpoint, but for Canadian hockey fans? Oh my god. That would be unbelievable.
But where would that leave you, allegiance-wise?
You know what? If I’m in Toronto, I may have to cheer a little bit for the Maple Leafs. But I won the Cup with Calgary. I had a dream come true for six and a half years, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but I won the Cup in Calgary – and that’s where my allegiance will stay.
(Top photo: Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)