Kent McDonell
There are many great hockey players native to Glengarry, but those whose talents have earned them a spot on a NHL, AHL, OHL, Canadian Junior and European Elite team rosters are deserving of special recognition. Such is the hockey journey of Williamstown’s Kent McDonell.
Notably, Kent is the great grandson of Dr. Alexander Tupper McDonell, an inductee into the Hall of Fame in 1983 who was recognized for his football and lacrosse achievements.
Kent was another Williamstown resident who grew up on the banks of the Raisin River and learned to skate on it in the winter and fish on it in the summer. Kent played as many sports as possible within the Char-Lan sports community but hockey quickly emerged as his passion. Kent was an enthusiastic member of the Char-Lan Minor Hockey Association from novice through to bantam minor and was coached by his father, Bruce.
Playing through the levels of Char-Lan minor hockey, Kent remembers the away tournaments and always felt a great sense of pride and satisfaction when his hockey team made up of small town and farm kids entered the big city and state-side tournaments and came home victors. Kent credits much of his early success because he played alongside many good hockey players from the Williamstown area.
Kent joined the Junior B Rebels at just 15 years of age playing the 1993-94 season. The following year, instead of following up on the opportunity to report to the Hawkesbury Hawks training camp, Al Wagar coach of the Cornwall Colts, picked him up to play in their 1995-96 season. That season Kent playing the right-wing position collected 33 points in 35 games. The Cornwall Colts advanced to the Fred Page Cup final, losing in the final game to Dartmouth.
At just 17 years of age, Kent entered the Junior A draft and went in the 2nd round to Guelph Storm in 1996. In his second year playing with the Storm, the team advanced to the Memorial Cup only to lose in the final game to Portland in over-time. Kent experienced great success while playing in Guelph. He captained the team in 1999. That same year he was named the team MVP and selected to the OHL First Team All-star roster. Including playoffs, Kent played 287 games and accumulated 227 points that speaks to his stellar play while in the OHL.
Kent was selected to represent Canada at the World U20 Juniors in 1999. The try out camp was held in Kenora. Canada hosted the World Juniors’ tournament in Winnipeg and Tom Renney served as Canadian coach. Kent finished with a plus 2 rating, including a goal and an assist in his 7 games played. The team advanced to the finals, losing in a heartbreaking loss to Russia in overtime.
Kent was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997 and returned to the draft again in 1999, this time drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. He signed his first professional contract in 2000. He made short stops playing in the East Coast League before he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets and played with their affiliate in the American Hockey League in Syracuse. He was called up to play with the Columbus Blue Jackets and tallied 3 points in 32 games. 2004-05 was the infamous NHL lockout year and Kent made the difficult decision to leave and play in Europe. Here began an illustrious 10-year journey playing on division one team in Norway, Germany and Finland, but the majority of these fulfilling years were spent playing in the Swedish Hockey League.
Kent retired from professional hockey in 2017 and he returned from Europe to establish his home in Caledon Hills with his wife Julie and daughter Logan. Along with other business interests, Kent presently runs Prospect Hockey, a hockey school where he focuses on developing the aspects of the game that served him well during his years of play, specifically the importance of strong communication, team effort and individual work ethic.
Kent’s Team Canada picture hangs in the Char-Lan Recreation Centre and serves as an inspiration to young players. Kent still calls the banks of the Raisin River and Williamstown home and returns frequently to visit family and friends.
