Parker MacDonald, a native of Sydney, Nova Scotia, began his pro hockey career with Pittsburgh in the AHL after three seasons with the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey League. In his first full NHL season in 1954-55, he scored an impressive 8 goals and 3 assists in 62 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The New York Rangers claimed MacDonald in 1956.

MacDonald split the next three seasons between the Rangers and the American Hockey League. After being named an All-Star left-winger in the AHL, he was picked up by the Detroit Red Wings in 1960. It was in Detroit that MacDonald enjoyed his most productive NHL years.

In his third season with the Red Wings, MacDonald flourished, playing on the Wings’ number one line with Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio. He scored a career high of 33 goals in that 1962-63 season, at a time when 20 goals was considered a great season in the six-team NHL. MacDonald continued to play for Detroit until 1967-1968, when he moved on to the expansion Minnesota North Stars.

He spent two seasons with the North Stars before retiring from playing hockey and turning to coaching. Among the teams he has coached are the AHL New Haven Nighthawks, the NHL Minnesota North Stars and the L.A. Kings.