THUNDER BAY – After five years at the helm, Bill McDonald is retiring as coach of the Lakehead Thunderwolves men’s hockey team.
At 65, it was time, said the veteran bench boss, who plans to spend more time with his children and grandchildren as he handed over the coaching reins to long-time assistant and former Thunderwolves captain Andrew Wilkins.
“It’s time for me to go and it’s time for Andrew. He can’t hang on forever. He wants to take that jump and I totally endorse him,” McDonald said, explaining his decision.
“He’s been a loyal kid and he’ll do a good job.”
McDonald, whose resume includes three Colonial Hockey League championships, two with the Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks and a third with the Thunder Bay Senators, has spent more than three decades coaching.
His minor-league career took him from Thunder Bay to Texas, New Mexico, Michigan and Ohio before returning in 2013 to take over the Thunderwolves, where his teams would post a 60-62-17 record with McDonald behind the bench during regular-season play and 7-9 in taking LU to the playoffs in four of five seasons.
It was an emotional decision, he said, adding he won’t be totally stepping away from hockey completely.
“I love the game and the fans in Thunder Bay, they’re great. It’s just time for me to step away,” he said, noting getting to coach the likes of Marty Turco and Brendan Morrow during a brief stint with the Dallas Stars organization is probably the highlight of his career.
Wilkins, who turns 30 in July, spent his junior career on the blue-line, but switched to forward when he arrived in 2009 in Thunder Bay, where he developed into one of the top defensive players in the Canadian university game.
He said four years as an understudy with McDonald have proven invaluable to his coaching development.
Wilkins said he’s excited to take on the next chapter in his hockey career.
“It’s obviously a humbling feeling to be selected and to follow a guy like Bill McDonald, who means so much to the history of Thunder Bay hockey. It’s a program that I have a lot of passion for, so I’m very excited,” Wilkins said.
“I came up here 10 years ago as a player. I didn’t know anybody coming up here, I came up here because it was a really good hockey program.”
The Wolves haven’t been at their best in recent years, missing the post-season for the first time in school history in 2016 and Wilkins said he wants to put his own stamp on the team.
“Obviously it’s the early stages. As of right now we’re recruiting and we’re trying to get the best players in. Moving forward it’s just putting a plan forward for success and working until you achieve your goal,” said Wilkins, adding the team’s top priority is scoring more goals.
Captain Dillon Donnelly said he’s got mixed emotions about the move, but does approve of McDonald’s successor.
“We’re definitely a little sad to see Billy leave. He’s a great per son and a great coach. Speaking just for myself, I owe him a lot. He gave me the captaincy, which has been a big honour, so for me it’s been a day of mixed emotions. But to look to Andrew, I think he’s up to the challenge,” Donnelly said.
“He’s excited and to have a guy that’s younger too is going to be a good thing for us. He’s ready.”
Wilkins, the first full-time assistant in team history, will announce the rest of his coaching staff at a later date.
