Management Career
McDonald announced his retirement as a player on August 28, 1989, stating in a press conference that he made the determination before the 1988–89 season began that it would be his last. He also revealed that he had received an offer from another, unnamed, team to play in 1989–90 but felt that it was the right time to end his career. The Flames made McDonald their Vice President in Charge of Corporate and Community Affairs. He chose the corporate position partly due to a fascination with the business world, and partly to remain close to his family as a role in hockey operations would have necessitated greater travel. His interest in business grew following his trade to Calgary as he was featured in numerous commercials and endorsements throughout southern Alberta. He had also previously served as a vice president of the NHLPA.
McDonald was part of the committee tasked with hiring a new general manager in June 2000, and speculation within the media was that after several years in corporate, he hoped to land a role as a vice president within hockey operations. He received no such role, and two months after the hiring of Craig Button as executive vice president and general manager of the Flames, McDonald announced he was leaving the organization. McDonald denied claims from team sources that he was upset at not gaining a new role when Button was hired. He stated that after "nineteen great years here in one organization", he felt it was the right time to retire. He retained a small role in the organization, serving as a board member of the Saddledome Foundation.
He returned to the Flames a year later as the team's new president, Ken King, named him an executive adviser to hockey operations. Prior to his return, McDonald served as the general manager of Team Canada for the 2001 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. He returned to the World Championship team again in 2002 as general manager, and in 2004 as director of player personnel.
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