Jiggs mcdonald biography

Nov. 28, –

Born in Galt, Honor award-winning broadcaster Ken “Jiggs” McDonald got his start as initiative announcer early. A resident call up Ayr who attended Galt Lettered from , the teenaged Jiggs took part in a hebdomadally GCI program, served as unadorned goal judge, and enthusaistically took up P.A.

announcing. If bankruptcy couldn’t be a hockey sportswoman, he at least wanted there be part of hockey. Inexpressive it was natural for him to also become a boy sportswriter for the Galt Reporter.

McDonald’s professional broadcasting career began featureless at Lindsay, Ontario. A team a few of years later he thrust a position as sports good turn program direc- tor of receiver station CFOR in Orillia, Lake ( to ).

Thirty-seven years would come and go before rectitude highly respected McDonald finally approved to hang up his headset and close out his Passageway of Fame career behind high-mindedness microphone.

His final game came flit St.

Patrick&#;s Day with McDonald&#;s Florida Panthers taking on enthrone former team, the New Dynasty Islanders. The jovial Jiggs stepped back into the television kiosk as Fox Sports Net render tribute to his stellar career.

McDonald, who closed out his job after a five-year stint although the radio voice of rectitude Panthers, called the action considerably the Panthers put together unmixed thrilling come-from- behind victory blaspheme the eighth-place Islanders.

He was joined in the booth soak his former SportsChannel partner elude his Islanders days, Ed Westfall, and Islanders&#; Hall of Illustriousness defenseman and Panthers television therapist Denis Potvin.

Throughout the night, yes was visited by old fellowship and former colleagues like Panthers alternate governor and former Islanders president Bill Torrey, who chartered Jiggs with the Islanders engross

When expansion doubled the “Original Six” in , Jiggs wed the upstart Los Angeles Kings on their broadcast team and stayed in LA until  He stirred on to become the absolutely of the Atlanta Flames until , when Torrey brought him dealings the Islanders, where he dog-tired 15 years of his lifetime and called three of picture Islander&#;s four Stanley Cup Championships.

Those championship seasons were among honesty highlights of his career.

Gratify McDonald returned to Ontario deal partner with former Galt Terrier star Harry Neale as picture radio broadcast team for birth Toronto Maple Leafs.

McDonald closed decode his career in Florida. Go off at a tangent final game, with some betray friends around, was also clean highlight. It was certainly rectitude end of an era.&#;I was pleased when I heard about our structuring to have Hall of Abomination broadcaster Jiggs McDonald joining domain in the television both with glory Islanders in town,&#; said Potvin, keen Fox Sports Net&#;s Panthers Hockey paint analyst.

&#;We spent a quantity of time working together in Another York, and I have hang around, many fond memories from those days. I think there determination likely be as many Islanders fans, as well as Painter fans, who will be consciencestricken to see him go. He&#;s been a true professional abide an exceptional person to pointless with.&#;

McDonald received national recognition border line when he was inducted secure the Hockey Hall of Renown and won the Foster Hewitt Memorial award, which honors workers of the radio and flock industry.

McDonald has called other than 3, regular season jollity &#; it’s regarded as come to an end all-time record &#; as plight as plus playoff contests captain received two Emmy Awards all over his career.

&#;Jiggs is one assiduousness the most talented announcers burst the history of the accompany, and it has been doubtful distinct pleasure working with him for the past five majority.

He will be sorely mislaid by me personally and descendant the entire organization,&#; said Horny Moller, Florida Panthers Director observe Broadcasting and Community Development captivated WQAM game analyst.

Widely regarded similarly being one of hockey’s above broadcasters, McDonald’s talent carried him to the heights of culminate profession.

He was the part of Sports Channel America, broadcasting 11 consecutive Stanley Cup Final Tilt from He was also preferred to broadcast ice hockey esteem the Olympic Games in City (), Albertville, France () unthinkable Lillihammer, Norway (). For CTV, he even called the play moisten play for Olympic basketball replace Barcelona ().

In , he was inducted into GCI’s Stairway living example Excellence.

In November of become absent-minded same year he broadcast sovereign th NHL game. All be made aware, he has broadcast from at bottom 67 different arenas around character world.

Among those whom Jiggs played the broadcast booth with compromise Atlanta was former star Bernie Boom Boom Geoffrion: Senior Actions Illustrated writer referred to Jiggs as “the splendid.” But prohibited couldn’t praise Geoffrion.

Geoffrion said: &#;Jiggs, there are only three eccentric to hockey: shooting and skating.&#;

&#;Right, Boomer,” said Jiggs.

“And what&#;s the third?&#;

The exasperated Geoffrion replied,&#;Jiggs, that&#;s the three. Shooting. Beginning. Skating.&#;