M MacDonald Hall's Sportswriter Profile

M MacDonald Hall joined March 2008

Syndicated Writer

39,100article reads
Rank: 582
40articles written
Rank: 1,213
195comments written
Rank: 1,286

About M »

M (Mac) is a freelance hockey analyst, currently serving as B/R's Calgary Flames Featured Columnist for NHL.com, the Calgary Flames Official Team Newsletter, and other syndication. Mac writes previews, trivia, game recaps, trade and roster information, gear reviews, analysis, etc. for B/R and their partners, including CBSSports, FoxSports, SI.com, and other online sports sources. Proud owner of seven (yeah, 7!) Pick of the Day Awards.

An avid hockey and sport fan, my writing is rooted in a deep love of the game. A Canadian from an English/Scottish family (Exeter/Glasgow for those interested), my sporting tastes run the gamut from football (soccer), hockey, basketball, cricket, CFL/NFL football, baseball etc. Baseball, street hockey, and footy were early favourites and I spent hours outdoors playing and practising in the yard, or finding neighbourhood kids to play ball with in the street. Once out of primary school I played a bit of colligate (middle and grade 10/11) basketball, eventually winning a few championships and earning the "Guard of the Year".

Defence or goaltending have always been preferred positions when playing any sport., but that doesn't mean I don't love offence. Getting out on the street, field, or ice gives one of the greatest feelings in the world. Hockey/sports nicknames earned over the years include Red, Big Mac, Big Mac-D, Mac, Mego, and Doc. I hope my writing can facilitate a positive sport encounter for others. Everyone has his or her own personal connection to the sports they love, and the appetite for knowledge can be insatiable. Sport is for everyone, and if B/R can help another feed that need, that's the aim! 40,000+ reads in 40+ published articles have hopefully helped...it's helped me.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Questions, suggestions, opinions, or criticisms may be directed to sports.writer@live.com, as may writing, editing, and research requests.

Thanks to everyone for reading and for all the fantastic feedback. Your reads, comments, criticisms, and picks are always gratefully appreciated.

Also, thanks to the Bleacher Report creators, staff, and members, all of whom make this a true community.

CONTACT INFO:
(See link below in the Short List) Twitter: @DocMacHall.
If anyone has a topic they would like covered, please feel free to mention it. I also cover non-sport subjects for other publications.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Bleacher Report Awards AND "Pick of the Day" Awards (as voted by the Bleacher Report community...Thanks guys and gals!)
PoD Awards (7) - Includes "By the Numbers: Parts 1 & 2", "A Touch of Class....", "A Hockey Night In Canada....", and others (see archive).
B/R Award, September 2008 - BEST SERIES (Honourable Mention): MacHall's Bleacher Creature Hockey Trivia 1-9 (see archive)

The Shortlist »

Favorite Athletes

Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Andrew Ference, Craig MacDonald, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Hayley Wickenheiser, Cassie Campbell, Kirk Muller, Doug Gilmour, Stephane Yelle, Joe Thorton, Martin Brodeur, Joe Carter, Fred Brathwaite, Will Clark, and o so many more. Sometimes a competitor shows you something in one specific instance and is now "noticable", even if he/she isn't really. I like to watch those players too.
Favorite Sports Teams

M MacDonald Hall on Facebook
Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Roughnecks, Saint John Sea Dogs, Calgary Hitmen, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Team Canada (any event/sport), Guilford Flames, England's National Football team, Scotland's National Football team, Exeter City, Glasgow Rangers, Toronto FC, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtic, Seattle Seahawks. Basically, put a hockey game in front of me, and if I don't absolutely hate a team or a specific player, I'll cheer!
Favorite Coaches
All Time Sports Moment

For me? 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics...fantastic to see Canada's hockey teams win double gold. Also, the 2004 Calgary Flames Stanley Cup Playoff run. So many memories, so much energy and faith invested! It may not have ended perfectly, but they sure gave their poor fans a great show after such a long post-season drought.
Most Memorable Game Attended

Calgary vs San Jose 2 December 2003. Saw my first live successful penalty shot, courtesy of Shean Donovan. Miikka Kiprusoff's first game against his old team. Later that year we would see the Flames take the Western Conference Championship from the Sharks at the 'Dome. Simple but fantastic hockey. First time in years I saw more wins than losses when I went to the Saddledome.
Most Unbreakable Sports Record

Toughie...dunno. Gretzky's various records, longest game streak, Wilt Chamberlain's multiples perhaps, Hall's consecutive-game streak? There's a few!
Ruth or Mays?

Willie Mays. Not to take anything from Ruth, but Mays was a better all-around player in a League that posed him more challenges and competition.
Unitas or Montana?
Jordan or Russell?

Michael Jordan. Grew up watching him, had his poster on my wall (in a trio, with Gretzky and Roberto Alomar).
Gretzky or Orr?

Bobby Orr. Apples, oranges.
Pele or Maradona?

Hook the imaginary Football-Manager-me up with a good, all-around squad every day of the week over any induvidual diva-esque star. In other words, take your pick!
Federer or Sampras?
Tiger or Nicklaus?

Tiger, but give it to them both for making a televised non-event like golf exciting and popular. I'm not saying it doesn't require skill and isn't impressive, but why watch a golf-carting hole to hole for about one minute of "action"! Most of them are anything but "athletic". It's fun to play golf, but how much coverage does this "sport" need? And for those of you who can watch a tiny white ball sail past clouds AND still want or need the FoxTrax puck, don't talk to me...seriously.
Petty or Earnhardt?
Schumacher or Senna?
Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East?

Latest Articles »

Colorado Avalanche Writer Fails Ethics 101, Calgary Flames Uncensored

11/19/2009

990 reads 11 comments 1 likes

Calgary Flames NHL Hockey: Pieces Fall into Place, New Pattern Emerges

11/08/2009

142 reads 3 comments 0 likes

Calgary Flames Check-Up: Sutter Steps In, Slumping Flames Feel The Heat

11/03/2009

142 reads 1 comments 0 likes

Avalanche-Flames: Colorado Apt Test for Calgary Flames, "Good" Not Good Enough

10/29/2009

153 reads 2 comments 1 likes

View M's full archive »

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Article

Reunited and It Feels So Good: Forsberg and Naslund Rediscover Hockey has been liked by M MacDonald Hall.

written by Patrick Cwiklinski

JW Nix said...

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I think you may dig this from KD. It deserves AOTD :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/289279-i-think-i-love-hockey

7 days ago

Tim Weideman said...

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No problem and thanks for the kind comments.

13 days ago

David Protheroe said...

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Awesome! looking forward to reading it. I actually got to watch the game tonight due to CBC actually airing a game in the pacific!!

28 days ago

David Protheroe said...

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Yeah, I feel you on the time issues. While I don't get to watch the games, I do make sure to read the recaps on NHL.com for every game. So i always get the basics.

45 days ago

Svyato Rovenchuk The Toronto Made Classic said...

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Thanks. I contribute to Flames because they are my favourite team. Since I live in Toronto and our team sucks I cheer for Flames. Plus Flames got my favourite goalie and defense(Kipr and Dion). Flames rule! Take it easy M.

47 days ago

David Protheroe said...

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Hey M, just wondering if you were planning on writing any articles soon? I really liked the stuff you wrote last year, and I'm looking forward to reading more!

62 days ago

micheal malcolm said...

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Hey M

I’ve started a weekly segment looking at a review of what has happened in the NBA for the week. Your support and commentary would be greatly appreciated as I continue to hone my writing and analytical skills

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/236362-this-week-in-the-nba-5-things-i-think

Thanks in advance for the support!

98 days ago

Svyato Rovenchuk The Toronto Made Classic said...

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my biggest project to date! feedback would b really appreciated!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/188993-top-3-most-respected-sports

175 days ago

Kevin van Steendelaar said...

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30th Anniversary of the Canadiens/Bruins "Too many men on the ice" game:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/172173-may-10-1979-boston-bruins-called-for-too-many-men-against-montreal

195 days ago

Andrew Cahill said...

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A Story From A True Patriots Fan...check this one out...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/164812-a-story-from-a-true-patriots-fan

205 days ago

Josh Lewis said...

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Hey M,
Dunno if you still check out these parts (I know I don't have much time these days) but I thought I'd let you know about an interview I did with Steve MacIntyre. I know you're a Flames fan, but maybe you'll find it interesting. He's definitely earned his stripes at the minor league level. You can find the story on the Oilers page or my profile.

Also, I finally made it to Calgary over the Easter weekend. I visited a high school friend for a couple of days. She lives right downtown, so it was pretty fun. I even found a Maritimer bar...

Hope all's well with you. Flames are suddenly looking good!

213 days ago

Christopher Rock said...

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Hey Mac!

Thanks for the note and fan add! I really appreciate the tidbits and offer for assistance. Great to see another THW member here as well. I'm sure we'll be chatting in the future!

Cheers,
Chris

236 days ago

Tim Stein said...

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thanks for the note. Since you're such a big flames fan, why not tune into my Flames-based hockey show on Wednesday nights at 8:00 pm, MST! I take calls, plus I might start shopping for a co-host too. if there's a Wednesday game, the show is on immediately after, or if its a late game, then I do a make-up show later in the week.

Hope to see you in our chat for the show! My website is http://www.wildtalkradio.com or http://www.wildtalkradio.com/fireonice
Cheers!
Tim

PS Are you IN Calgary?

293 days ago

Josh Lewis said...

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Hey thanks M, I'll definitely try my hand.

Got home to PEI for exactly two days (cut about six hours short thanks to a cancellation at Pearson) but it was nice. Second day back on the job in Kindersley, blargh. I haven't been to Calgary yet but plan to make the trek sometime in the next couple months if the roads are good.

Juniors are looking good... tomorrow night will be fantastic.

327 days ago