by Chuck Saffell - CyclonesHockey.com Columnist

CINCINNATI, Ohio – After seven years of professional hockey Cincinnati Cyclones first year assistant coach Matt MacDonald decided that it was time to move on to the next chapter of his career by trading in his stick and skates on game nights for a suit and tie. The move into coaching was something he had always planned to do when his playing days ended.

“I have always been very interested in coaching. It stems back from when I was a kid growing up doing hockey camps with friends and family. I have always had an interest, and something I have always had as a goal when I was done playing was to be on the other side of it in the coaches’ office.”

MacDonald had previously played in Cincinnati for parts of three seasons, including the Cyclones first Kelly Cup championship in 2008. His last three seasons were spent overseas playing in Italy and Denmark, though a return to the Cincinnati area had been in the works for some time.

“(Head Coach) Jarrod (Skalde) and I have talked over the last few years about me having an opportunity to play for him. Then the (assistant) coaching spot opened up and I told him I was interested and it kind of went on from there.”

The decision to return to the organization was made even easier due to the fact that his wife Erin is a Cincinnati native. Even while he was playing in Europe, he would still make frequent trip to the Queen City.

“We would spend the summers between here and Niagara Falls where I am from. We always seemed to come back here because her friends and family are here.”

While MacDonald has spent the majority of his life involved in hockey he knows that there are always new things to learn. Expanding that level of knowledge is his top priority for the upcoming season.

“Being the first year I am just trying to learn as much as I can. It’s a real eye opener to see the other side of it and see how much work and how many little things as a player you don’t really see and don’t understand. You don’t get to see how many little details go into preparing for a season. I am trying to help get everything ready and learn as much as I can from Jarrod and the organization.”

Cyclones fans can see MacDonald’s debut as a coach on Friday, October 5 at 7:30 pm when the team hosts the Wheeling Nailers in an exhibition game at U.S. Bank Arena. Tickets are available for just $5! Contact a Cyclones Ticket Representative today at 513.421.PUCK (7825) to reserve your seats.