Alf McDonald (ice hockey)

Alfred Ernest "Cap" McDonald (September 17, 1877 – May 1, 1956[1]) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played from 1895 to 1913. During his last year of playing he was the captain and coach of the Sydney Millionaires when they played against the Quebec Bulldogs for the Stanley Cup Championships in 1913.

McDonald was from the village of Iroquois, Ontario, and was the son of the Village Chief of Police, William McDonald. He left home at an early age in 1895 to play for the Smith's Falls (Ontario) Hockey Club until 1902. Interrupted briefly in 1898 when he played for Brockville (Ontario).

As with most early professional hockey players, he moved often from team to team within Canada and the United States. Players were paid by the game, or by the hockey season. Often players termed "Ringers" were hired to play specific games or series of games when teams were vying for championships of the their league.

At that time, hockey was played with six men on the ice in addition to a goal keeper. McDonald, noted to be a tall and husky person, played all positions except Goal Keeper during his eighteen year hockey career. He was particularly effective in the 'Point' or 'Center Point' positions which evolved in to the 'Defenceman' position of modern style of hockey.

During this era, teams based in Canada did not pay their hockey players. Rather, the hockey town provided off-ice jobs and other perks.

Arguably, the world's first professional hockey leagues, which operated similtaneously, were the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League (WPHL), and the International Pennsylvania Hockey League (IPHL)

Many good Canadian hockey players were lured down to play in both the WPHL and the IPHL. Players were provided with accommodation and transportation and paid on average $30USD per game (equivalent to approx. $1,080.00 today).

Between 1898 and 1906, McDonald moved from team to team. He played Pittsburgh Bankers (1898-1901), Calumet Miners (1902-1905) and later returned to Pittsburgh in 1906.

It was during this period, on March 27, 1899, that Alfred broke the world record for high jumping on skates, having leaped 42 &1/2 inches high.

By 1905-1906 professional hockey was gaining popularity in Canadian cities and many of the Canadian players in the WPHL and IPHL returned to Canada to play.

McDonald returned to Canada to play for the Brantford Braves

in the Ontario Professional Hockey League (OPHL), He played a brief stunt with the Montreal Wanderers of the National Hockey Association (NHA), a precursor to the modern National Hockey League (NHL).

In the last two years of his playing days he was the captain of the Sydney Millionaires in the Maritime Professional Hockey League (MPHL).