The Winnipeg native excelled in the MJHL with the St. Boniface Canadians, before joining the OHA's St. Catharines Teepees. After scoring a combined 82 goals during his two years with St. Kitts, McDonald enjoyed two solid years in the AHL with the Rochester Americans.

The young forward dressed for two playoff games with the Montreal Canadiens when they won their third consecutive Stanley Cup in 1958. The next year, he scored 13 goals as a rookie working on a line with Ralph Backstrom and Don Marshall and was a part of two more Stanley Cup triumphs. Still, he was not popular with the Forum patrons who expected him to be as good as the man he replaced, Bert Olmstead.

In June 1960, McDonald was acquired by the Chicago Black Hawks and helped the team win its first Stanley Cup in 23 years. He also worked on the original "Scooter" Line with Ken Wharram and Stan Mikita and notched two 20-goal seasons.

McDonald spent a year with the Boston Bruins then helped the Detroit Red Wings reach the Stanley Cup finals the next year. In June 1967, the Pittsburgh Penguins in the expansion draft claimed the crafty veteran. He scored 22 goals while teamed with Andy Bathgate and Val Fonteyne then was traded in the off-season to the St. Louis Blues for Lou Angotti. McDonald spent two years in Missouri, helped the club reach the Stanley Cup finals twice and recorded a personal best 25 goals in 1969-70. He also participated in the 1969 and 1970 NHL All-Star Games.

The veteran winger toiled briefly for the Detroit Red Wings in 1971-72 then played two years in the WHA with the Winnipeg Jets. In 1972-73, he was credited with notching the first regular season goal in franchise history. In 1973, McDonald was a integral part of the club's drive to the league championship series. He retired after scoring 12 goals for the Jets in 1973-74.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame