The Powassan Voodoos have won 23 straight NOJHL games, are second in the nationwide CJHL rankings, and have not lost a game since early October.
No team goes streaking like the Voodoos have this fall with a question mark between the pipes. Nate McDonald credits his teammates with their dedication to playing a three-zone game and for keeping the sightlines clear.
North Bay's own McDonald has developed into just such a goalie. The 6-2 netminder, who thinks the game at a level beyond his years, also boasts a rare combination of size and agility.
"It's not very often you get a big goaltender who can move really well in the net, and I pride myself in that," said McDonald.
McDonald is 19-2-0 on the season, boasting a minuscule 2.02 GAA and .928 save percentage. He has not lost a game since October 11 (versus the Iroquois Falls Eskis). He has won 14 straight as a part of the team's overall streak.
The Voodoos' goaltender has allowed more than three goals just once during the winning streak. He came on once in relief, playing the third period and earning the win as the Voodoos came from behind to defeat French River. The personal winning streak also includes a shutout over the Timmins Rock and two overtime victories.
With the team's success comes some personal accolades. McDonald has twice been named the Gongshow Gear goalie of the month, in September and November. Most recently, McDonald was twice named one of the three Eastlink stars of the week.
On a team such as the Voodoos, who pride themselves in the words of head coach Scott Wray on being able to "roll four lines to keep the pressure on," throughout the game, having a goaltender who is as solid as a rock to cover up any miscues goes a long way.
Voodoos goalie coach Dan Spence, a former CIS (now USports) All-Star goaltender with the Nipissing Lakers, speaks of McDonald in glowing terms: "He's a pro, on and off the ice. I think it's that professional attitude that is going to take him to the high levels."
"I got a chance to work with Nate about five or six years ago, with his rep team," at the time said Spence, "and even back then he battled hard, he was a good, was a strong skater, and was a pretty strong kid for his age.
Spence says that between then and now, McDonald has not only gotten physically stronger but has also improved his all-around game, a development made possible by McDonald's work with one of Spence's mentors, Tom Hedican.
"I like to take advantage of my size and also keep my feet moving," said McDonald about his playing style. "I like to use my strong footwork around the net, being able to beat the pass to pucks, getting myself square to the shot before it comes so that I'm in a good position to make the save.
"I also like to keep my hands active in the net, making sure that I'm receiving pucks with my hands, rather than just going into a wall and blocking," said McDonald.
McDonald's mental approach to the game, and to his life in general, is also heralded by Spence as one of the young goalie's strongest attributes. McDonald completed his accelerated grade 12 education as an Ontario Scholar, and by doing so has kept options open as to how prestigious a Division I NCAA school he can attend.
"I've always liked the thought of being a student-athlete. I've always taken great pride in my marks. My number one goal right now is to earn a Division I scholarship," said McDonald.
"He understands things quickly, he grasps the concepts right away," said Spence of his pupil, adding that McDonald often will add something they've worked on in practice to his repertoire in a game immediately.
"He competes hard, he doesn't give up on pucks, I don't have to tell him to work hard or to follow his rebounds, he knows what he needs to do," added Spence.
McDonald has taken the steps necessary to flourish on the bigger stage. McDonald moved to Toronto, where he played two midget seasons in the GTHL, first as a minor midget with the Mississauga Senators, and with the major midget Toronto Marlies the following year.
North Bay has been a goaltender factory of late, with NHL draftee Colton Point and Memorial Cup champion and New Jersey Devils prospect Ken Appleby having found success, company Voodoos GM Chris Dawson believes McDonald will soon find himself in.
Dawson said that McDonald's experience in the GTA paid off, as he caught the attention of the director of player development Mike Mackley with his play with the Marlies.
"Nate came to our Barrie camp and truly impressed. As a 17-year-old, he wasn't signed with the expectation that he would be the #1 goalie in the NOJHL, let alone the Voodoos.
"It's an honour to be recognized but I've got to give a lot of credit to my team and the group of guys we have in the room. We're such a tight-knit family in there, it makes it easier going out there to battle with your buddies every night," observed McDonald.
"I recall when we signed Nate, I told him that young goalies (under 18) can be successful in this league. I gave him the example of Evan Cormier, who played for the Jr. Trappers when I was with that team. Ironically, just like Evan, Nate has turned into the most dominant goaltender in the NOJHL," said Dawson.
"We knew he was good but he definitely has exceeded our expectations," concluded Dawson.
