Hockey Signs McDonald to 2023-24 Team

FOREST CITY, IA - The Waldorf Hockey Team continues to add talent and experience in preparation for the 2023-24 season. Head Coach Mike Heitkamp announced the signing of Canadian forward Brandon McDonald.

McDonald is a 6'2" native of Winnipeg, Manitoba who comes to Waldorf after an extensive junior career in both the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and the Superior International Junior League (SIJHL). Most recently, McDonald played with the Wisconsin Lumberjacks of the SIJHL where he put up 26 points in his final season of junior hockey. He was also one of the associate team captains for the Lumberjacks.

"We watched Brandon this year and were excited when we were able to talk with him," said Coach Heitkamp.  "We really like his game. He is going to come in as a freshman and play big minutes for us.  Brandon brings a good combination of talent and grit to his game. He will have the opportunity to have a significant impact his first year in the ACHA."

When asked, Heitkamp shared his vision for McDonald on the ice for the Warriors.  "I see the opposing coaches keeping an eye on him for his offensive ability, and I see opposing players not wanting to be on the ice with him because of his grit," Heitkamp said.  "I also expect that he will be filling a leadership role early in his career at Waldorf. The first thing that stood out to the coaches was his personality. He is a guy that the team will enjoy having around the locker room during good times, and more importantly the tougher times of a long season. As I have said before, we were a soft team to play against last year at times. Coach Prater and I were very selective on getting players like Brandon that will be tough to play against each weekend."      

McDonald joins a growing incoming class as Waldorf strives to take another step forward next season. The Warriors recently finished a 13-win campaign, the program's most victories as an ACHA Division 1 program. The 2023-24 schedule can be found on the athletics website. The Warriors will be playing their most difficult schedule this year with at least sixteen games against ACHA Top 25 teams, including a home and away series against the defending ACHA national champions, Minot State University. Waldorf will begin its 2023-24 season in September.